JP3907958B2 - Power steering piping structure - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a piping structure of a circulation path for circulating oil for power steering operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, automobiles have been provided with power steering, and the power steering is provided with a circulation path 101 for circulating oil as shown in FIG. 8 (see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-132582).
[0003]
That is, the oil pumped from the pump 111 is sent to the steering gear 113 via the pressure pipe 112, and the oil from the steering gear 113 goes to the three-way union 116 via the return pipe 114 and the air vent valve 115. Sent. The three-way union 116 is connected to the suction port of the pump 111 via a suction pipe 117 and is connected to a reservoir tank 119 via a branch pipe 118.
[0004]
When supplying oil to the steering gear 113, after injecting oil into the reservoir tank 119, the pump 111 is rotated to circulate the oil, and the air vent valve 115 is opened for a predetermined time so that Air bubbles were removed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when air is vented in this way, there is a problem that the operation of opening the air vent valve 115 is required and the maintainability is poor.
[0006]
Further, since it is necessary to provide the air vent valve 115 in the circulation path 101, the weight increases as the number of parts increases, and the cost increases.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power steering piping structure capable of reducing the cost while improving workability when supplying oil. It is what.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the power steering piping structure according to claim 1 of the present invention, a return hose for returning the oil supplied from the pump to the steering gear and a suction hose connected to the reservoir tank are provided. A power steering piping structure connected to a suction port of the pump via a T-shaped connector formed in a T-shape , wherein the T-shaped connector is connected to the suction port of the pump A first port and a second port and a third port extending substantially orthogonal to the first port; a return hose connected to the second port; and a suction hose connected to the third port the disposed the inner tube within the suction hose, one end of the inner tube, the connection point between the connector and the pump As well as disposed in the return hose side, the other end of the inner tube and extending above the liquid level of the oil in the reservoir tank.
[0009]
That is, when oil is supplied to the steering gear, the oil is injected into the reservoir tank, and then the pump is rotated to circulate the oil. Then, the oil supplied from the pump to the steering gear returns to the suction port of the pump via the return hose and the connector.
[0010]
At this time, one end of the inner tube is disposed on the return hose side from the connection point between the connector and the pump, and the other end of the inner tube is fixed above the oil level in the reservoir tank. And open to the atmosphere. For this reason, since the air bubbles mixed in the oil from the steering gear toward the connector are also guided to the inner tube, they are discharged into the atmosphere from the other end of the inner tube. Since the back pressure of the inner tube is reduced by opening the other end of the inner tube to the atmosphere, introduction of bubbles into the inner tube is promoted.
[0011]
Further, in the power steering piping structure according to claim 2, at one end portion of the inner tube disposed on the return hose side, the flow rate of the oil flowing through the inner tube causes the outer peripheral portion of the inner tube to flow. The cross-sectional area in the inner tube and the cross-sectional area of the outer peripheral portion of the inner tube were set so as to be faster than the flow rate of the flowing oil.
[0012]
That is, at one end of the inner tube arranged on the return hose side, the flow rate of oil flowing through the inner tube is faster than the flow rate of oil flowing through the outer periphery of the inner tube. The bubbles contained in the oil are guided to the inner tube side having a high flow rate.
[0013]
Further, in the power steering piping structure according to claim 3, the oil filter of the reservoir tank is engaged with an engaging portion for engaging the inner tube, and the inner tube engaged with the engaging portion is connected to the tank cap. And a blocking portion that blocks oil discharge.
[0014]
That is, the oil discharged into the atmosphere through the inner tube is blocked from being discharged to the tank cap that closes the oil inlet of the reservoir tank by the blocking portion. Thereby, oil leakage from the tank cap is prevented.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a piping structure of a power steering according to this embodiment, and shows a circulation path 1 for circulating oil for power steering operation.
[0016]
That is, a power steering pump 12 (hereinafter referred to as a power steering pump 12) having a pulley 11 connected to a drive source is provided with a delivery port 14 for pumping oil 13, and the delivery port 14 has a high-pressure hose 15. Is connected. The high-pressure hose 15 is connected to an input port 17 provided in a power steering gear 16 (hereinafter referred to as a power steering gear 16), and is configured so that the pumped oil is supplied into the power steering gear 16. The power steering gear 16 is provided with an output port 18 for outputting the supplied oil, and a return hose 19 is connected to the output port 18. The return hose 19 is connected to a T-shaped connector 21 fixed to the power steering pump 12.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2 (showing a state where the pulley 11 is removed from the power steering pump 12), the T-shaped connector 21 includes a rectangular main body 22 and a first protruding sideways from the side surface of the main body 22. A port 23, a second port 24 projecting downward from the lower surface of the main body 22, and a third port 25 projecting upward from the upper surface of the main body 22. It is formed in a cylindrical shape communicating with each other. The second and third ports 24 and 25 are arranged on a straight line, and the first port 23 is formed in a T-shape by being orthogonal thereto.
[0018]
The first port 23 is connected to a suction port 31 provided in the power steering pump 12, and a flange portion 32 is fixed with a bolt 33, and oil supplied from the delivery port 14 to the power steering gear 16 Can be returned from the suction port 31. Thus, by directly fixing the T-shaped connector 21 to the power steering pump 12, there is no need to separately fix the T-shaped connector 21 and space saving can be achieved. Further, by directly attaching the T-shaped connector 21 to the power steering pump 12, the connection hose between the T-shaped connector 21 and the power steering pump 12 can be eliminated.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 1, the return hose 19 is connected to the second port 24 that extends downward from the main body 22 of the T-shaped connector 21. It is fixed. A suction hose 36 extending from the reservoir tank 35 is connected to the third port 25, and the suction hose 36 is fixed by a clamp 37.
[0020]
An inner tube 41 is disposed in the suction hose 36, and a lower end portion of the inner tube 41 passes through the T-shaped connector 21 and reaches the return hose 19. Thereby, the lower end of the inner tube 41 is arranged on the return hose 19 side from the connection point S (see FIGS. 6 and 7) between the T-shaped connector 21 and the power steering pump 12.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 3, the reservoir tank 35 is formed in a container shape with a reduced diameter at the lower part, and is fixed to the vehicle body via a mount bracket 51. A cylindrical connecting portion 52 through which the stored oil 13 flows is formed at the bottom of the reservoir tank 35, and the suction hose 36 is connected to the connecting portion 52 (see FIG. 1). . An oil injection port 53 is opened at the upper portion of the reservoir tank 35, and the oil injection port 53 is closed by a tank cap 55 having a vent 54 so as to be opened. An oil filter 56 is fixed to the edge of the oil injection port 53 in a locked state.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 4, the oil filter 56 includes a resin frame 61 that forms a skeleton and a mesh 62 provided on the frame 61, and the frame 61 recedes inward. A recess 63 is formed. A locking portion 64 having a C-shaped cross section is formed in the recess 63, and the locking portion 64 is held in a state where the upper end portion of the inner pipe 41 is locked, as shown in FIG. It is configured to be able to. And it is comprised so that the upper end of the latched inner tube 41 can be fixed in the state protruded above the liquid level 65 of the oil 13 in the said reservoir tank 35. As shown in FIG.
[0023]
The oil filter 56 has a blocking portion 71 formed above the locking portion 64 for blocking the discharge of the oil 13 from the inner tube 41 locked by the locking portion 64 to the tank cap 55. ing. The blocking portion 71 is made of synthetic resin and is integrally formed with the frame 61.
[0024]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the circulation path 1, and the flow velocity V1 of the oil 13e flowing through the inner tube 41 at the lower end of the inner tube 41 disposed in the return hose 19 is the inner tube 41. The cross-sectional area in the inner tube 41 and the cross-sectional area of the outer peripheral part of the inner tube 41 are set so as to be faster than the flow velocity V2 of the oil 13d flowing through the outer peripheral part of the tube 41. Specifically, the inner diameter D1 of the inner tube 41 is set to 5 mm, and the inner diameter D2 of the return hose 19 surrounding the lower end portion of the inner tube 41 is set to 15 mm. FIG. 7 shows an equivalent circuit of the circulation path 1.
[0025]
In the present embodiment according to the above configuration, when the oil 13 is supplied to the circulation path 1, the oil 13 is injected into the reservoir tank 35, the power steering pump 12 is rotated, and the oil 13 is circulated. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the oil 13 a from the reservoir tank 35 is sucked into the power steering pump 12, and the oil 13 b pumped from the power steering pump 12 is supplied to the power steering gear 16. The oil 13 c output from the power steering gear 16 flows toward the T-shaped connector 21 via the return hose 19.
[0026]
At this time, the lower end of the inner tube 41 is disposed on the return hose 19 side from the connection point S between the T-shaped connector 21 and the power steering pump 12, and the upper end of the inner tube 41 is in the reservoir tank 35. The oil 13 is fixed above the liquid level 65 and is open to the atmosphere. For this reason, a part of the oil 13 d from the power steering gear 16 toward the T-shaped connector 21 is sucked into the power steering pump 12, while the other oil 13 e is guided to the inner tube 41.
[0027]
Since the oil 13e guided to the inner tube 41 is discharged from the upper end of the inner tube 41 into the reservoir tank 35, the bubbles mixed in the oil 13e are released into the atmosphere. By repeating this, bubbles mixed in the piping path constituting the circulation path 1 can be discharged into the atmosphere via the inner tube 41.
[0028]
Therefore, it is not necessary to install an air vent valve in the piping path as compared with the prior art, and the number of parts can be reduced. Accordingly, weight reduction and cost reduction can be achieved. In addition, since the air vent valve is not necessary, there is no need to operate the air vent valve during air venting, and workability is improved.
[0029]
At this time, at the connection point S between the T-shaped connector 21 and the power steering pump 12, the oil 13a supplied from the reservoir tank 35 and the oil 13d toward the T-shaped connector 21 on the outer periphery of the inner tube 41 collide with each other. The flow velocity V2 of the oil 13d is suppressed. The upper end of the inner tube 41 is open to the atmosphere, and the back pressure of the inner tube 41 is reduced. Moreover, the cross-sectional area in the inner tube 41 and the inner tube so that the flow velocity V1 of the oil 13e flowing through the inner tube 41 is faster than the flow velocity V2 of the oil 13d flowing through the outer periphery of the inner tube 41. Since the cross-sectional area of 41 outer peripheral part is set, the bubble contained in the oil 13c in the return hose 19 can be guide | induced to the inner tube 41 side with the quick flow velocity V1. Thereby, the discharge time of the bubbles can be greatly shortened.
[0030]
On the other hand, the oil 13f discharged from the upper end of the inner tube 41 is blocked from being discharged to the tank cap 55 by the blocking portion 71 provided in the oil filter 56 as shown in FIG. Therefore, inadvertent leakage of the discharged oil 13f from the fitting portion of the tank cap 55 and the vent hole 54 can be prevented.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the power steering piping structure according to claim 1 of the present invention, air bubbles mixed in the piping path through which oil circulates are introduced into the atmosphere via the inner tube provided in the suction hose. Can be discharged.
[0032]
Therefore, it is not necessary to install an air vent valve in the piping path as compared with the prior art, and the number of parts can be reduced. Accordingly, weight reduction and cost reduction can be achieved. In addition, since the air vent valve is not necessary, there is no need to operate the air vent valve during air venting, and workability is improved.
[0033]
In the power steering piping structure according to claim 2, introduction of bubbles into the inner tube can be promoted by making the flow velocity in the inner tube faster than the flow velocity in the outer peripheral portion of the inner tube. Thereby, the discharge time of the bubbles can be greatly shortened.
[0034]
Furthermore, in the power steering piping structure according to the third aspect, it is possible to prevent the oil discharged from the inner tube from leaking from the tank cap.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the power steering pump of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the reservoir tank of the same embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an oil filter of the same embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the upper part of the reservoir tank of the same embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a circulation path according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the circulation path of the same embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a conventional circulation path.
[Explanation of symbols]
12 Power steering pump 13 Oil 16 Power steering gear 19 Return hose 21 T-shaped connector 35 Reservoir tank 36 Suction hose 41 Inner tube 55 Tank cap 56 Oil filter 64 Locking portion 65 Liquid level 71 Blocking portion

Claims (3)

A return hose for returning the oil supplied from the pump to the steering gear and a suction hose connected to the reservoir tank are connected to a suction port of the pump via a T-shaped connector formed in a T shape. The power steering piping structure
The T-shaped connector includes a first port connected to the suction port of the pump, and a second port and a third port extending substantially orthogonal to the first port, and a return hose is provided in the second port. And connecting a suction hose to the third port,
An inner tube is disposed in the suction hose, one end of the inner tube is disposed on the return hose side from a connection point between the connector and the pump, and the other end of the inner tube is disposed in the reservoir tank. A power steering piping structure characterized by extending above the oil level of the oil. In the one end portion of the inner tube disposed on the return hose side, the inner flow rate is such that the flow rate of oil flowing through the inner tube is faster than the flow rate of oil flowing through the outer peripheral portion of the inner tube. 2. The piping structure for a power steering according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area in the tube and a cross-sectional area of the outer peripheral portion of the inner tube are set. In the oil filter of the reservoir tank,
A locking portion for locking the inner tube;
A blocking portion that blocks oil discharge from the inner tube locked by the locking portion to the tank cap;
The power steering piping structure according to claim 1, wherein the power steering piping structure is provided.

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