JP2022056278A - Reservoir tank - Google Patents

Abstract

To inhibit intense movement of a liquid surface in a tank body of a reservoir tank and inhibit occurrence of air bubbles in the reservoir tank.SOLUTION: A reservoir tank 10 has: a tank body 17 in which a cooling liquid L is stored; an inflow pipe 15 which sends the cooling liquid to the tank body; and a discharge pipe 16 which discharges the cooling liquid from the tank body. The inflow pipe 15 is connected to the tank body 17 below a liquid surface S of the cooling liquid L stored in the tank body in a vertical direction. A columnar member 14 is erected in the tank body 17. The columnar member 14 extends in a substantially vertical direction when viewed along a center axis m of the inflow pipe 15. A part of the columnar member 14 is disposed on an extension line of the center axis m of the inflow pipe 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a reservoir tank. In particular, the present invention relates to a reservoir tank provided in the coolant path of the liquid-cooled cooling system.

Liquid-cooled cooling systems are used to cool internal combustion engines, electric elements, electronic boards, and the like. In a liquid-cooled cooling system, a cooling liquid is circulated, heat is collected from a member to be cooled, and heat is dissipated from a heat discharger to cool the member to be cooled. In a liquid-cooled cooling system, a coolant tank, that is, a reservoir tank may be provided in the coolant path for circulating the coolant. The reservoir tank compensates for the decrease due to the vaporization of the coolant and absorbs the volume change due to the temperature change of the coolant. Further, if bubbles are generated in the coolant, the cooling efficiency may be lowered, so that the bubbles in the coolant may be separated by the reservoir tank, that is, gas-liquid separation may be performed.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of arranging a rectangular baffle plate in a reservoir tank body so as to form a windmill in a specific direction. According to the reservoir tank, it is disclosed that bubbles can be separated from the coolant without increasing the water flow resistance and complicating the structure.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-248753

In recent years, in order to improve the performance of the cooling system, there has been a demand for increasing the flow rate of the cooling liquid passing through the reservoir tank as in Patent Document 1. However, when the flow rate of the coolant passing through the reservoir tank increases in the reservoir tank as in Patent Document 1, the coolant flowing into the tank body tends to undulate and violently, and the air in the tank is entrained to generate bubbles. It turned out that it was difficult to obtain the expected level of gas-liquid separation effect.

In particular, in recent years, as the demand for miniaturization of the reservoir tank has increased, the coolant inside the tank body has become more likely to be exposed.
An object of the present invention is to suppress the rash of the liquid level inside the tank body of the reservoir tank and to suppress the generation of air bubbles inside the reservoir tank.

As a result of diligent studies, the inventor made the flow of the coolant from the inflow pipe flow into the coolant inside the tank body vertically below the liquid level of the coolant, and also into the tank body. It has been found that if a columnar member is provided and a part of the columnar member is arranged on an extension of the central axis of the flow flowing out from the inflow pipe, the liquid level inside the tank body can be suppressed from being roughened, and the present invention has been completed.

The present invention is a reservoir tank provided in the coolant path of a liquid-cooled cooling system, and is a tank body for storing the coolant, an inflow pipe for feeding the coolant to the tank body, and discharging the coolant from the tank body. It has a discharge pipe, and the inflow pipe is connected to the tank body vertically below the liquid level of the coolant stored in the tank body, and a columnar member is inside the tank body. It is erected, and when viewed along the central axis of the inflow pipe, the columnar member extends in a substantially vertical direction, and a part of the columnar member is arranged on an extension line of the central axis of the inflow pipe. It is a reservoir tank (first invention).

In the first invention, preferably, the flow of the cooling liquid having a plurality of columnar members and flowing from the inflow pipe into the tank body is divided in a substantially horizontal direction by the first columnar member, and the separated flow is the second. A plurality of columnar members are arranged so as to be further divided in the substantially horizontal direction by the columnar members (second invention). Further, in the first invention, preferably, the position where the extension line of the central axis of the inflow pipe and the columnar member intersect is vertically lower than the coolant level (third invention). Further, in the third invention, preferably, the central axis of the inflow pipe extends substantially horizontally, and the columnar member extends substantially in the vertical direction (fourth invention).

Further, in any one of the first invention to the fourth invention, the columnar member is preferably arranged so as to connect between the top surface and the bottom surface of the tank body (fifth invention). Further, in any one of the first invention to the fourth invention, preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the columnar member in the horizontal plane is convex toward the upstream side of the cooling liquid flow (the sixth invention). Further, in any one of the first invention to the fourth invention, preferably, the width of the columnar member when viewed along the central axis of the inflow pipe is 0.5 times or more and 3 times or less the diameter of the inflow pipe. (7th invention).

Further, the present invention is a reservoir tank provided in the coolant path of the liquid-cooled cooling system, and the tank body for storing the coolant, the inflow pipe for feeding the coolant to the tank body, and the coolant from the tank body. It has a discharge pipe for discharging, and the inflow pipe is extended inside the tank body and is released into the internal space of the tank body below the liquid level of the coolant stored in the tank body in the vertical direction. In addition, a columnar member is erected inside the tank body, and the columnar member extends in a substantially vertical direction when viewed along the central axis of the inflow pipe line of the portion released by the inflow pipe. It is a reservoir tank which is present and a part of the columnar member is arranged on an extension line of the central axis of the inflow pipe line of the portion released by the inflow pipe (8th invention).

According to the reservoir tank of the present invention (the first invention and the eighth invention), the liquid level inside the tank body is suppressed from being exposed, and the generation of air bubbles inside the reservoir tank can be suppressed.

Further, in the case of the second invention to the fourth invention, the effect of suppressing the burrs on the liquid surface and the effect of suppressing the generation of bubbles are further improved.
Further, in the case of the fifth invention, the vibration of the columnar member is suppressed, and the generation of noise from the reservoir tank is suppressed.
Further, in the case of the sixth invention and the seventh invention, the effect of suppressing the burrs on the liquid surface and the effect of suppressing the generation of bubbles are further improved.
Further, according to the eighth invention, the degree of freedom in arranging the inflow pipe of the reservoir tank is increased.

It is a vertical sectional view which shows the structure of the reservoir tank of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the reservoir tank of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation of the reservoir tank of 1st Embodiment. It is a vertical sectional view which shows the operation of the reservoir tank of 1st Embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the structure and operation of the reservoir tank of the 1st modification. It is a vertical sectional view which shows the structure of the reservoir tank of 2nd Embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the shape of the modification of a columnar member. It is a vertical sectional view which shows the structure of the reservoir tank of 3rd Embodiment. It is a vertical sectional view which shows the operation of the reservoir tank of a reference example. It is a vertical sectional view which shows the structure of the reservoir tank of 4th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described by exemplifying a reservoir tank provided in a liquid-cooled cooling system of an internal combustion engine of an automobile with reference to the drawings. The invention is not limited to the individual embodiments shown below, and the embodiments may be modified and carried out. The application of the liquid-cooled cooling system is not limited to the internal combustion engine, and may be an application for cooling an electric element such as a power element or an inverter or an electric component such as an electronic circuit board, or may be another application. ..

1 and 2 show the structure of the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the reservoir tank 10, and FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the reservoir tank 10. The vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 is an XX cross-sectional view taken in a vertical plane passing through the XX line of FIG. Further, the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 is a YY cross-sectional view taken in a horizontal plane passing through the YY line of FIG.
The reservoir tank 10 is configured by connecting an inflow pipe 15 and a discharge pipe 16 to a hollow tank body 17. In the coolant path of the liquid-cooled cooling system, in the reservoir tank 10, the coolant flows from the inflow pipe 15 into the hollow tank body 17, and the coolant flows out from the hollow tank body 17 through the discharge pipe 16. It is used by being placed and connected in the coolant path so as to go.

In the vertical sectional view of FIG. 1, the upper side of the figure shows the upper side in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the lower case 11 and the upper case 12 are integrated to form the reservoir tank 10. The hollow tank body 17 is configured by integrating the lower case 11 and the upper case 12. In the present embodiment, the inflow pipe 15 and the discharge pipe 16 are integrally molded in the lower case 11, but the inflow pipe 15 and the discharge pipe 16 may be integrated in the tank body 17 by another configuration.

The coolant L is stored in the tank body 17. Air is stored in the upper part of the tank body 17 in the vertical direction.
The inflow pipe 15 is connected to the tank body on the lower side in the vertical direction than the liquid level S of the coolant stored in the tank body. With such a configuration, the coolant sent from the inflow pipe 15 flows directly into the coolant stored in the tank (that is, without passing through the air).

Although not essential, in the present embodiment, the inflow pipe 15 is provided in a straight tubular shape on the outside of the tank body 17. For example, as in the fourth embodiment described later, the inflow pipe may be extended inside the tank body.

The discharge pipe 16 is also connected to the tank body on the lower side in the vertical direction than the liquid level S of the coolant stored inside the tank body. With such a configuration, the coolant is efficiently discharged from the tank body 17 through the discharge pipe 16.

A columnar member 14 is erected inside the tank body 17. In the present embodiment, one columnar member 14 is erected so as to extend substantially in the vertical direction. As in the modification described later, there may be a plurality of columnar members. Further, as in other embodiments described later, the columnar member may be tilted with respect to the vertical direction.

The columnar member 14 extends substantially in the vertical direction when viewed along the central axis m of the inflow pipe 15. The columnar member 14 does not have to extend strictly in the vertical direction, and if the inclination is about 30 degrees or less, it can be said that the columnar member 14 extends in the substantially vertical direction. If the inflow pipe is a bent or bent pipe, the central axis of the pipe near the connection between the inflow pipe and the tank body (the part where the cooling liquid flows from the inflow pipe into the tank body) flows in. It can be thought of as the central axis m of the pipe.

A part of the columnar member 14 is arranged on the extension line of the central axis m of the inflow pipe 15. With this configuration, the jet of the cooling liquid that has flowed from the inflow pipe 15 into the tank body 17 flows so as to hit a part of the columnar member, and flows separately in a substantially horizontal direction so as to avoid the columnar member 14. (Fig. 3).

Although not essential, in the present embodiment, the columnar member 14 has a hollow shape having a substantially D-shaped cross section (cross section in a horizontal plane). The columnar member 14 is provided so that the surface curved in an arc shape faces the side of the inflow pipe 15. As will be described later, the columnar member 14 may have other forms.

Although not essential, it is preferable that the position where the extension line of the central axis m of the inflow pipe 15 and the columnar member 14 intersect is vertically lower than the coolant level S as in the present embodiment. .. The position where the extension line of the central axis m of the inflow pipe 15 and the columnar member 14 intersect may be substantially the same height in the vertical direction as the coolant level S. More preferably, the position where the extension line of the central axis m of the inflow pipe 15 and the columnar member 14 intersect is vertically lower than the position where the inflow pipe 15 is connected to the tank body 17.

Further, although not essential, it is preferable that the central axis m of the inflow pipe 15 extends substantially horizontally and the columnar member 14 extends substantially in the vertical direction as in the present embodiment.

Further, although not essential, it is preferable that the columnar member 14 is arranged so as to connect between the top surface and the bottom surface of the tank body as in the present embodiment. As in the present embodiment, it is particularly preferable that the columnar members are divided into a lower case side and an upper case side, and the divided columnar members are joined (preferably welded) to each other.

Further, although not essential, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the columnar member 14 in the horizontal plane is convex toward the upstream side of the cooling liquid flow as in the present embodiment.

Further, although not essential, as in the present embodiment, the width D2 of the columnar member when viewed along the central axis m of the inflow pipe 15 is the diameter of the inflow pipe (inner diameter on the side open to the inside of the tank). ) It is preferably 0.5 times or more and 3 times or less of d1, that is, 0.5 * d1 ≦ D2 ≦ 3 * d1. In particular, it is preferable that 1 * d1 ≦ D2 ≦ 1.5 * d1. In this embodiment, D2 = 1.3 * d1. If 0.5 * d1 ≦ D2, the flow diversion effect of the columnar member is likely to be sufficiently exhibited. Further, if D2 ≦ 3 * d1, it is possible to suppress the flow from colliding with the columnar member and heading upward in the vertical direction, and it becomes more effective to suppress the roughening of the coolant level.

As long as the tank body 17, the columnar member 14, the inflow pipe 15, and the discharge pipe 16 of the reservoir tank 10 can be configured, there is no particular limitation on what kind of member is divided into such a structure. In the present embodiment, the lower case 11 and the upper case 12 are divided and assembled to realize such a configuration, but such a structure may be realized by another member configuration. For example, the constituent members may be formed so that the tank main body 17 is divided into two in a vertical plane, and the constituent members may be assembled to realize such a configuration.

Further, the material constituting the reservoir tank 10 of the above embodiment and the method of manufacturing the reservoir tank 10 are not particularly limited, and the reservoir tank 10 can be manufactured by a known material or a known manufacturing method. Typically, the reservoir tank 10 is made of a thermoplastic resin such as a polyamide resin. The material and reinforcing structure of the reservoir tank are determined according to the type, temperature, pressure, etc. of the coolant used. Further, typically, the reservoir tank 10 is manufactured by forming members corresponding to the lower case 11 and the upper case 12 by injection molding, respectively, and integrating these members by vibration welding, hot plate welding, or the like. be able to. In that case, it is preferable that the inflow pipe 15, the discharge pipe 16, and the hollow member 14 are integrally molded in the lower case 11 or the upper case 12, respectively, but they are set as separate members and later assembled and integrated. May be good.

The operation and effect of the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment will be described. According to the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the roughening of the liquid level inside the tank body and suppress the generation of air bubbles.

FIG. 9 shows, as a reference example, the flow of the coolant inside the tank body in the reservoir tank without the columnar member. The reference example of FIG. 9 has the same configuration as the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment except that the columnar member 14 is not provided.

In the reservoir tank 99 of the reference example, when the coolant flows vigorously from the inflow pipe, the coolant flowing into the tank body (indicated by the white arrow indicating the flow Q of the flowing coolant) goes straight ahead. , It collides violently with the tank wall surface facing the inflow pipe, and the coolant diffuses upward and flows. Due to this flow, the liquid level of the coolant inside the tank body undulates violently. This violent rippling causes air to get caught in the coolant, creating bubbles.

Bubbles in the coolant reduce the circulation efficiency of the coolant and the heat transport efficiency of the coolant, leading to a decrease in the cooling performance of the cooling system.

In the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment, the inflow pipe 15 is connected to the tank body vertically below the liquid level S of the coolant, and a columnar member is erected inside the tank body. The columnar member 14 extends substantially in the vertical direction when viewed along the central axis m of the inflow pipe 15, and a part of the columnar member 14 is arranged on an extension line of the central axis m of the inflow pipe 15. Therefore, the liquid level inside the tank body is suppressed from being exposed, and the generation of bubbles inside the reservoir tank can be suppressed.

That is, in the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment, the flow Q of the coolant flowing from the inflow pipe 15 directly flows into the coolant stored in the tank body, and the flow from the cooling pipe 15 flows into the columnar member 14. It flows so as to collide with each other, and as shown in FIG. 3, it flows separately in the substantially horizontal direction so as to avoid the columnar member 14. Due to this diversion, the vigorous momentum of the coolant flowing from the inflow pipe 15 is dispersed by the columnar member 14 and weakened. As a result, the weakened flow of the coolant L collides with the wall surface of the tank body, so that the liquid level S is suppressed from violently rippling as in the reference example of FIG. Therefore, in the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment, the liquid level inside the tank body is suppressed from being exposed, and the generation of air bubbles inside the reservoir tank can be suppressed (FIG. 4).

From the viewpoint of further suppressing the liquid level inside the tank body and suppressing the generation of air bubbles inside the reservoir tank, the reservoir tank 19 is like the reservoir tank 19 of the first modification shown in FIG. The flow of the coolant having a plurality of columnar members 14a, 14b, 14b and flowing from the inflow pipe 15 into the tank body 17 is divided into two in a substantially horizontal direction by the first columnar member 14a, and the flow is divided. It is preferable that a plurality of columnar members are arranged so that is further divided into two in a substantially horizontal direction by the second columnar member 14b. The number of columnar members may be two, three, or four or more. The flow split by the columnar member may be split into two, or may be split into three or more.

If the configuration is such that the reservoir tank 19 of the first modification is used, the cooling liquid flow is more diffused and divided, resulting in a gentle flow. Therefore, the effect of suppressing the liquid level inside the tank body and the inside of the reservoir tank The effect of suppressing the generation of bubbles is further enhanced. Further, when a plurality of columnar members are provided, it is preferable that the plurality of columnar members are arranged such that the boring pins are arranged in the flow direction of the coolant from the inflow pipe 15.

Further, from the viewpoint of further suppressing the liquid level inside the tank body and suppressing the generation of air bubbles inside the reservoir tank, the position where the extension line of the central axis m of the inflow pipe 15 and the columnar member 14 intersect. However, it is preferable that the cooling liquid level is lower than the liquid level S in the vertical direction. If this is done, the coolant flowing from the inflow pipe 15 is prevented from being vigorously blown upward from the liquid level of the coolant, and the surface of the liquid inside the tank body is further suppressed from being roughened.

Further, from the viewpoint of further suppressing the liquid level inside the tank body and suppressing the generation of air bubbles inside the reservoir tank, the central axis m of the inflow pipe 15 extends substantially horizontally and the columnar member 14 is formed. However, it is preferable that it extends in the substantially vertical direction. With this configuration, the flow of the cooling liquid flowing from the inflow pipe 15 is surely divided in the substantially horizontal direction by the columnar member 14, and it is difficult to flow in the vertical direction, and the liquid inside the tank body is more reliably flowed. This is because the surface roughness is suppressed.

Further, when the columnar member 14 is arranged so as to connect between the top surface and the bottom surface of the tank body 17, as in the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment, the vibration of the columnar member 14 is suppressed. This also has the effect of suppressing the generation of noise from the reservoir tank. Since the cooling liquid collides with the columnar member 14 as a jet stream, if the columnar member is erected in the shape of a cantilever, the columnar member tends to vibrate and noise from the reservoir tank may be generated. If the columnar member 14 is arranged in a double-sided beam shape so as to connect between the top surface and the bottom surface of the tank body 17, the rigidity of the portion where the flow of the coolant collides with the columnar member is increased, and the columnar member The vibration of 14 is suppressed, and the generation of abnormal noise from the reservoir tank is suppressed.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications. Although other embodiments of the invention will be described below, in the following description, parts different from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and similar parts will be described with the same number, and detailed description thereof will be given. Is omitted. Moreover, these embodiments can be carried out by combining some of them with each other or replacing some of them.

FIG. 6 shows the reservoir tank 20 of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. The reservoir tank 20 of the second embodiment is different from the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment in the direction of the inflow pipe 25 and the shape of the columnar member 24, but the other configurations are the reservoir tank of the first embodiment. It is the same as 10.

In the reservoir tank 20 of the second embodiment, the inflow pipe 25 is provided so as to be inclined downward in the vertical direction from the outside to the inside of the tank body 27. If the inflow pipe 25 is tilted slightly downward, the liquid level inside the tank body may be more suppressed. In this embodiment as well, the discharge pipe 26 is provided vertically downward from the bottom surface of the tank, but the position and direction of the discharge pipe can be changed.

Further, in the reservoir tank 20 of the second embodiment, the columnar member 24 is a columnar member 24 having a chevron cross section as shown in FIG. 7A. Even with such a columnar member 24, as in the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the roughening of the liquid level inside the tank body and suppress the generation of air bubbles inside the reservoir tank.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a cross-sectional shape in a horizontal plane of another form of the columnar member. In FIG. 7, the white arrow indicates the direction of the flow of the coolant from the inflow pipe.
The columnar member may be a columnar member 24 having a chevron-shaped cross section (dogleg-shaped cross section) as shown in FIG. 7A. Further, the columnar member may be a columnar member 24b having a circular cross section (hollow cylindrical cross section) as shown in FIG. 7B. Further, the columnar member may be a solid member, for example, a columnar member having a solid cylindrical cross section. Further, the columnar member may be a prismatic member, an elliptical columnar member, a conical member, or a pyramidal member.

Further, the columnar member may be a columnar member 24c having a C-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 7 (c). Further, the columnar member may be a columnar member 24d having a cross-shaped cross section (a cross section formed in a stepped shape on the upstream side) as shown in FIG. 7 (d). Further, the columnar member may be a columnar member 24e having a flat plate-shaped cross section facing the flow as shown in FIG. 7 (e). Further, the columnar member may be a columnar member 24f having a chevron cross section having a slit in the central portion as shown in FIG. 7 (f).

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 7, 7 (a), (b), (c), and (d), the cross-sectional shape of the columnar member in the horizontal plane is convex toward the upstream side of the coolant flow. It is preferable that the shape is as good as possible. If the cross-sectional shape of the columnar member in the horizontal plane is convex toward the upstream side of the coolant flow, the jet of the coolant from the inflow port can be effectively divided and diffused in the horizontal direction, and the flow can be diffused. This is because the jet of the coolant from the inlet is prevented from colliding with the columnar member and splashing vertically upward, and the effect of suppressing the surface of the coolant is excellent.

Further, from the viewpoint of smoothing the flow and suppressing the splitting of bubbles, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (c), the columnar member is provided at the corner of the portion facing the flow of the coolant. It is more preferable that the shape is rounded. For example, it is preferable that the corners of the most upstream portion of the columnar member and the both end portions (upper end portion and lower end portion in FIG. 7) of the columnar member are rounded. When these parts are rounded, even if the jet of the coolant collides with the columnar member and the flow is divided, the generation of vortices around the columnar member is suppressed, and the bubbles in the coolant are finely divided by the vortex. It is suppressed that it becomes difficult to separate.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 7 (a), 7 (c), and (f), the columnar member has a cross-sectional shape in the horizontal plane of the columnar member having a width (inflow) on the upstream side of the coolant flow. The width of the columnar member when viewed along the central axis of the pipe) is preferably smaller than the width of the downstream side of the coolant flow, and the width of the columnar member becomes larger toward the downstream side. It is particularly preferable to have such a cross-sectional shape. With such a cross-sectional shape, the effect of dividing and diffusing the cooling liquid by the columnar member appears more prominently, and the effect of suppressing the surface of the cooling liquid from being exposed is enhanced.

As shown in FIGS. 7 (c), 7 (d), and (e), the cross-sectional shape of the columnar member in the horizontal plane has a surface facing so as to be substantially orthogonal to the jet of the coolant from the inflow port. May be. However, it is preferable to make the width of such a surface as narrow as possible because such a surface also causes a jet flow to bounce vertically upward and cause the coolant surface to undulate.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (f), if the columnar member 24f has a slit in the central portion, the jet of the cooling liquid from the inflow port can be substantially divided and diffused in three directions. The effect of diversion and diffusion of the coolant due to the columnar member appears more prominently, and the effect of suppressing the surface of the coolant is enhanced. The size of the slit is adjusted so that the jet flow passing through the slit is moderately weakened.

FIG. 8 shows the reservoir tank 30 of the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. The reservoir tank 30 of the third embodiment is different from the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment in the shape of the tank body 37, the shape and arrangement of the columnar member 24c, and the position of the discharge pipe 36, but other configurations are different. , The same as the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment.

In the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the tank main body 17 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but in the reservoir tank 30 of the third embodiment, the tank main body 37 is spherical. The shape of the tank body is not particularly limited, and may be another shape such as a cylinder, an ellipsoid, or an ellipsoid.

Further, in the reservoir tank 30 of the third embodiment, the columnar member 24c has a C-shaped (arc-shaped) cross section as shown in FIG. 7 (c), and the cross section is on the upstream side of the flow of the coolant. It is arranged so as to be convex toward. Further, in the present embodiment, the columnar member 24c is erected like a cantilever.

Similar to the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in the reservoir tank 30 of the third embodiment, the columnar member 24c extends in the substantially vertical direction when viewed along the central axis m of the inflow pipe 35. As a result, the jet of the coolant from the inflow port is split and diffused substantially in the horizontal direction, and the effect of suppressing the surface of the coolant is remarkable.

Further, in the reservoir tank 30 of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the columnar member 24c is relative to the central axis m of the inflow pipe when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the central axis m of the inflow pipe and the vertical direction. It is provided so as to be tilted. More specifically, as the distance between the inflow pipe 35 and the columnar member 24c measured in the direction along the central axis m of the inflow pipe increases from the lower base portion (joint portion with the tank body) of the columnar member, The columnar member 24c is provided at an angle so as to be short.

When the columnar member 24c is tilted in this way, when the jet of the coolant collides with the columnar member 24c, the jet tends to flow slightly downward in the vertical direction, so that the cooling liquid surface is suppressed from being exposed. The effect will be more pronounced.

FIG. 10 shows the reservoir tank 40 of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. The reservoir tank 40 of the fourth embodiment is different from the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment in the positions and shapes of the inflow pipes 451 and 452 and the shape of the columnar member 44, but other than the position of the discharge pipe 46 and the like. The configuration of is the same as that of the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment.

In the reservoir tank 40 of the fourth embodiment, the inflow pipe is extended inside the tank body. That is, in the present embodiment, the inflow pipe is composed of an external pipe 451 provided outside the tank body 47 and an internal pipe (extension portion) 452 provided inside the tank body 47. The outer pipe 451 and the inner pipe 452 are connected to each other to form a single pipe line. The internal pipe 452 may share a part of the wall surface with the tank main body 17.

The extension portion of the inflow pipe, that is, the internal pipe 452, is released to the internal space of the tank body on the lower side in the vertical direction with respect to the liquid level S of the coolant stored in the tank body. With such a configuration, the flow of the coolant flowing from the inflow pipe flows directly into the coolant stored in the tank (that is, without passing through the air), and the effect of suppressing the surface of the coolant is ensured. .. The internal pipe 452 may have a portion where the pipe line extends in a substantially vertical direction as in the present embodiment.

Further, in the present embodiment, the columnar member 44 extends substantially in the vertical direction when viewed along the central axis m of the inflow pipe line of the portion released by the inflow pipe (internal pipe 452), and the inflow pipe (inflow pipe). A part of the columnar member 44 is arranged on the extension line of the central axis m of the pipeline of the inflow pipe of the portion released by the internal pipe 452). That is, the internal pipe 452 is formed so that the flow of the cooling liquid passing through the pipe line is directed toward the columnar member 44. Although not essential, in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the central axis m of the conduit of the portion where the inflow pipe (internal pipe 452) is released to the inside of the tank body is substantially horizontal.
Then, the flow of the coolant flowing from the inflow pipe (internal pipe 452) into the tank main body flows in the substantially horizontal direction toward the columnar member 44.

Like the reservoir tank 40 of the fourth embodiment, the inflow pipe is extended inside the tank body, and the internal space of the tank body is vertically lower than the liquid level S of the coolant stored inside the tank body. When it is released to the tank body, unlike the first to third embodiments, the inflow pipe is connected to the tank body on the lower side in the vertical direction from the liquid level S of the coolant stored in the tank body. It is not mandatory to be done. This is because in the fourth embodiment, the inner pipe 452 functions as an extension pipe of the outer pipe 451 and functions in the same manner as the inflow pipe is connected to the tank body below the coolant level S.

Similar to the reservoir tank 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the reservoir tank 40 of the fourth embodiment also has a columnar shape when viewed along the coolant flow toward the columnar member (direction of the axis m in FIG. 10). The member 44 extends substantially in the vertical direction, and the flow from the inflow pipe collides with the columnar member 44. As a result, the jet of the coolant from the inflow port is substantially split and diffused in the horizontal direction, and the effect of suppressing the surface of the coolant can be obtained.

Further, by extending the inflow pipe to the inside of the tank, the degree of freedom in arranging the portion of the inflow pipe located outside the tank body (external pipe 451) is increased, and the cooling liquid level is suppressed from being exposed. The effect can be obtained. That is, according to the reservoir tank 40 of the fourth embodiment, the inflow pipe (external pipe 451) may be arranged at a position higher in the vertical direction than the coolant level S, so that the degree of freedom in layout of the reservoir tank is increased. Be done.

The reservoir tank of the present invention may have further other configurations. For example, the reservoir tank may be provided with a removable cap. A coolant can be filled inside the tank or the coolant path through such a cap. Further, the cap may be provided with a pressure release valve. Further, the reservoir tank may be integrated with a stay, a boss member, or the like for attaching to a vehicle body or the like, if necessary. Further, the reservoir tank may be provided with a reinforcing structure such as a rib, depending on the pressure resistance and the like required for the reservoir tank.

The reservoir tank can be used in the coolant path of the cooling system, can suppress the generation of bubbles in the coolant, and has high industrial utility value.

10 Reservoir tank 11 Lower case 12 Upper case 14 Columnar member 15 Inflow pipe 16 Discharge pipe 17 Tank body m Central axis of inflow pipe L Coolant S Coolant level

Claims (8)

A reservoir tank installed in the coolant path of a liquid-cooled cooling system.
The tank body that stores the coolant and
The inflow pipe that sends the coolant to the tank body,
It has a discharge pipe that discharges the coolant from the tank body.
The inflow pipe is connected to the tank body vertically below the liquid level of the coolant stored inside the tank body, and is connected to the tank body.
A columnar member is erected inside the tank body,
When viewed along the central axis of the inflow pipe, the columnar member extends in a substantially vertical direction.
A part of the columnar member is arranged on the extension line of the central axis of the inflow pipe.
Reservoir tank. Has multiple columnar members,
A plurality of coolant flows flowing from the inflow pipe into the tank body so as to be divided substantially horizontally by the first columnar member and further divided in the substantially horizontal direction by the second columnar member. Column members are arranged,
The reservoir tank according to claim 1. The position where the extension line of the central axis of the inflow pipe and the columnar member intersect is vertically lower than the coolant level.
The reservoir tank according to claim 1. The central axis of the inflow pipe extends substantially horizontally, and
The columnar member extends substantially in the vertical direction.
The reservoir tank according to claim 3. Columnar members are arranged so as to connect between the top surface and the bottom surface of the tank body.
The reservoir tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The cross-sectional shape of the columnar member in the horizontal plane is convex toward the upstream side of the coolant flow.
The reservoir tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The width of the columnar member when viewed along the central axis of the inflow pipe is 0.5 times or more and 3 times or less the diameter of the inflow pipe.
The reservoir tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A reservoir tank installed in the coolant path of a liquid-cooled cooling system.
The tank body that stores the coolant and
The inflow pipe that sends the coolant to the tank body,
It has a discharge pipe that discharges the coolant from the tank body.
The inflow pipe extends inside the tank body and is released into the internal space of the tank body below the liquid level of the coolant stored in the tank body in the vertical direction.
A columnar member is erected inside the tank body,
The columnar member extends substantially in the vertical direction when viewed along the central axis of the inflow pipe line of the portion released by the inflow pipe.
A part of the columnar member is arranged on an extension line of the central axis of the inflow pipe line of the portion released by the inflow pipe.
Reservoir tank.

Images