JP5207534B2 - Reservoir tank and brake device using the same - Google Patents

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.

  In order for the master cylinder to generate a hydraulic pressure when the hydraulic pressure is required, a predetermined amount of hydraulic fluid needs to be stored in the reservoir tank. For this reason, in general, a liquid level detection sensor is provided in the reservoir tank. When the liquid level in the reservoir tank falls below a predetermined level, the liquid level detection sensor detects this and displays it on the liquid level display device. It is like that. By the display of the liquid amount display device, the hydraulic fluid is replenished in the reservoir tank, and the liquid amount in the reservoir tank is ensured to be equal to or higher than a predetermined liquid amount.

  As a conventional reservoir tank liquid level detection sensor, a normally closed limit switch is installed on the upper surface of the reservoir tank, and a magnet is installed on the float that moves up and down according to the level of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank. A liquid amount detection sensor is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the liquid amount detection sensor described in Patent Document 1, the float moves up and down while being guided by a guide suspended from the inner surface of the upper end of the reservoir tank. When the level of the working fluid in the reservoir tank is high, the float moves up, the magnet approaches the limit switch, and the limit switch is turned off (opened) by the magnetic force. Thereby, the warning light is turned off. Also, when the hydraulic fluid level in the reservoir tank is lower than the extinguished liquid level, the float moves down, the magnet moves away from the limit switch, and the magnetic force does not affect the limit switch, and the limit switch turns on by itself. (Closed). As a result, the warning light is turned on.
JP-T-2006-519728.

  By the way, in the liquid amount detection sensor of the reservoir tank disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the magnet is provided at substantially the center position in the vertical direction of the float, the vertical dimension of the float is set to be relatively small. However, if the vertical dimension of the float is small, if the float is tilted due to liquid level fluctuations such as when the vehicle is tilted, the frictional resistance between the float and the guide becomes large and the float is likely to be caught on the guide. For this reason, it may be difficult to move the float up and down smoothly and reliably in conjunction with the change in the liquid level.

Thus, it is conceivable to increase the vertical dimension of the float, but if the vertical dimension of the float is simply increased, the magnet will move away from the limit switch. For this reason, in order to turn the limit switch on and off with the magnet on the extinguished liquid level, that is, to increase the operational reliability of the limit switch, it is necessary to bring the extinguished liquid level close to the limit switch. However, when the extinguishing liquid level is brought close to the limit switch, there is a problem that it is difficult to set a large storage capacity of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank. If the liquid level of the extinguished liquid is moved away from the limit switch in order to set the reservoir capacity of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank large, the magnet will also move far away from the limit switch when the limit switch is turned on / off. For this reason, in order to reliably turn on and off the limit switch, the magnetic force of the magnet must be increased, resulting in high cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive reservoir tank that can move the extinguishing liquid level further from the limit switch while reliably moving the float up and down. It is to provide a brake device used.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the reservoir tank of the present invention includes a liquid amount detection unit that detects the stored hydraulic fluid, and the liquid level detection unit has a predetermined liquid level. A limit switch that is turned on when the liquid level is higher than a predetermined liquid level, and a float that is provided with a magnet that turns the limit switch on and off and moves up and down according to the liquid level of the working fluid. And a reservoir tank in which the limit switch is provided above the magnet, the magnet is attached to the upper end of the float, and the float is moved up and down by a first guide whose upper part is suspended from the inner surface of the upper end. It is guided so that it can be moved up and down by a second guide that protrudes upward from the bottom surface. Has become way, the first guide comprises a cylindrical guide projecting downward from an upper end inner surface, and a fitting are guide holes provided and the guide in the vertical direction at the center of the float The second guide has a cylindrical partition wall projecting upward from the bottom surface and forming a float chamber in which the float moves up and down, and the float has an upper portion in the guide hole The guide is guided by the guide so as to be movable up and down, and the lower part thereof is guided by the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical partition wall so as to be movable up and down .

Furthermore, the reservoir tank of the present invention includes a liquid level detection unit that detects the stored hydraulic fluid, and the liquid level detection unit is turned on when the liquid level of the stored hydraulic fluid is equal to or lower than a predetermined liquid level. a limit switch is turned off when the liquid level is higher than the predetermined liquid level, and a float you moves up and down according to the liquid surface of the hydraulic fluid with magnet for turning on and off the limit switch is provided, the limit In a reservoir tank in which a switch is provided above the magnet, the magnet is attached to the upper end of the float, and when the float is moved upward, the float is held horizontally by a horizontal holding part provided on the inner surface of the upper end. with its lower portion being adapted to be vertically movable guided by the guide, the horizontal holding portion, an annular suspended from the upper end internal surface Li And an annular stopper provided on the upper surface of the float and capable of contacting the lower end of the annular rib, and the guide is a rod-shaped first guide suspended from the center of the lower surface of the float; A cylindrical second guide provided on the bottom surface and fitted with the first guide, and the float is guided by the first and second guides at the lower part thereof so as to be vertically movable. Further, when the annular stopper is brought into contact with the annular rib at the time of upward movement, the level is maintained at the upper portion thereof .

  Further, in the reservoir tank of the present invention, the float has a float main body and a magnet column protruding upward from the upper surface of the float main body, and the magnet is attached to an upper end portion of the magnet column. It is characterized by that.

  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. The reservoir tank is at least one of the above-described reservoir tanks of the present invention.

  According to the reservoir tank of the present invention configured as described above, the float moves up and down while being guided by the first guide suspended from the inner surface of the upper end at the upper part, and upward from the bottom surface at the lower part. It moves up and down while being guided by the second guide protruding. Therefore, the float can be moved up and down more smoothly and more reliably. In addition, since the float of the reservoir tank can be moved up and down more reliably in this way, it is possible to more effectively prevent the warning lamp from being erroneously turned on due to the malfunction of the liquid amount detection unit.

  Since the float is guided by the first guide suspended from the inner surface of the upper end of the reservoir tank, it is possible to reliably guide the float that has moved upward and to position and center the magnet with respect to the limit switch. Thereby, even if the gravity center position of a float is located upwards by attaching a magnet to the upper end part of a float, tilting of a float and a magnet can be suppressed more reliably. Therefore, the limit switch can be turned on and off more reliably by the weight of the float and the magnet.

  In this case, the first guide is constituted by a cylindrical guide projecting downward from the inner surface of the upper end, and a guide hole provided in the vertical direction at the center of the float and fitted in the guide. Further, the second guide is constituted by a cylindrical partition wall that projects upward from the bottom surface of the reservoir tank and forms a float chamber in which the float moves up and down. Therefore, the float moves up and down while being guided by the guide hole and the guide at the upper part, and moves up and down while being guided by the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical partition wall at the lower part, thereby making the float smoother and more reliable. Can be moved up and down.

  When the second guide is constituted by a cylindrical partition wall that forms a float chamber in which the float moves up and down, the float that has been moved up as described above is guided by the upper guide, so that the lower annular shape A reinforcing member such as a rib for reinforcing the partition is not required. Thereby, even if it does not provide a reinforcement member, the cross-sectional shape of an annular partition can be made into a perfect circle at the time of resin molding.

  Further, according to the reservoir tank of the present invention, the magnet is attached to the upper end portion of the float, and when the float is moved upward, the float is held horizontally by the horizontal holding portion provided on the inner surface of the upper end, and at the lower portion by the guide. It is moved up and down while guiding. Therefore, even if the float moves up and the guide amount by the guide at the bottom of the float decreases, the float can be reliably held horizontally by the horizontal holding portion. In addition, even when the reservoir tank is tilted when the vehicle is tilted or the like, the float can be reliably held horizontally by the horizontal holding portion. As a result, when the float moves up and down, the float can move up and down more smoothly and more reliably, and the operational reliability of the float can be improved. As a result, malfunction of the limit switch can be suppressed, and erroneous lighting of the warning lamp can be prevented.

In that case, the horizontal holding part is configured by an annular rib suspended from the inner surface of the upper end of the reservoir tank. An annular stopper is provided on the upper surface of the float, and the upper end of the annular stopper is brought into contact with the lower end of the annular rib. Thereby, the float can be more securely held horizontally when the float moves up. Moreover, the diameter of the float is set large by providing an annular stopper on the top surface of the float. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the influence on the float due to the undulation of the liquid surface of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank, and the float can be held more stably and horizontally.

  Moreover, the vertical dimension of the float can be increased by providing the magnet at the upper end of the magnet support provided on the upper surface of the float body. Therefore, the float can be moved up and down smoothly and reliably according to the liquid level of the working fluid. At this time, the center of gravity of the float having a magnet provided at the upper end portion is positioned further upward. Even when the center of gravity is positioned above, the float and the magnet are almost tilted by their own weight. It can be moved up and down smoothly.

  Furthermore, since the magnet is provided at the upper end of the float, the magnet can be brought close to the limit switch. Thereby, the light-extinguishing liquid level can be kept away from the limit switch. Accordingly, it is possible to set a larger storage capacity of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank. Moreover, even if the extinguishing liquid level is moved away from the limit switch, the position of the magnet on the float extinguishing liquid level can be brought closer to the limit switch. Thereby, the operation reliability of a limit switch can be improved. As a result, the magnetic force of the magnet can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the upper part of the float is constituted by the magnet support, the pressure receiving area of the working fluid of the magnet support can be reduced. As a result, even if the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank moves suddenly, for example, due to sudden braking or turning of the vehicle, the force applied to the magnet column by the moving hydraulic fluid can be suppressed. Therefore, the influence on the float due to the rapid movement of the hydraulic fluid can be reduced, the malfunction of the limit switch can be more effectively prevented, and the erroneous lighting of the warning lamp can be prevented more reliably.

  Furthermore, the volume in the float chamber can be variously changed by variously changing the length and diameter of the magnet column. Therefore, it is possible to respond more flexibly and more reliably to different reservoir tanks depending on the type of vehicle on which the reservoir tank is mounted.

  On the other hand, according to the brake device using the reservoir tank of the present invention, the amount of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank can be more reliably detected by the fluid amount detection unit, so that the brake operation can be performed more reliably.

Hereinafter, the best mode 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.

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 perform secondary operation. The hydraulic fluid in the liquid 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.

  2A is a partially cutaway view of the reservoir tank of this example, and FIG. 2B 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 FIGS. 2A and 2B, the reservoir tank 5 used in the brake device 1 of this example stores a working fluid to be supplied to the tandem master cylinder 4 and opens upward. A lower half body 8 and an upper half body 9 that closes the upper end opening of the lower half body 8. The upper half body 9 is provided with a hydraulic fluid inlet 10, and the hydraulic fluid inlet 10 is opened and closed by a cap 11 (shown in FIG. 1).

  The lower half body 8 of this example includes a hydraulic fluid supply unit 12, a hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13, and a hydraulic fluid passage 14 provided between the hydraulic fluid supply unit 12 and the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13. Yes. Under normal conditions, the lower half 8 is covered with the upper half 9 and the upper end opening of the lower half 8 is closed. Therefore, the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic fluid supply unit 12 through the hydraulic fluid inlet 10 of the upper half 9.

  The hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 includes a fluid amount detection chamber 15, a primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 16, and a secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 17. 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 fluid level detection chamber 15, the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 17, and the primary hydraulic fluid The storage chamber 16 is disposed in this order from the front of the vehicle (left side in FIG. 2B) to the rear of the vehicle (right side in FIG. 2B).

  The hydraulic fluid supply unit 12 is always in communication with the fluid amount detection chamber 15 via the hydraulic fluid passage 14. Further, the liquid amount detection chamber 15 is always in communication with the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 17. Further, the hydraulic fluid supply unit 12 is always in communication with the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 16 through another path of the hydraulic fluid passage 14. The primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 16 and the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 17 are partitioned by a partition wall 18, but are always in communication with each other above the upper end 18 a of the partition wall 18. The hydraulic fluid in the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 16 is supplied to the primary hydraulic fluid chamber 4b of the master cylinder 4 through the primary hydraulic fluid supply port 16a, and the hydraulic fluid in the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 17 is the secondary hydraulic fluid supply port 17a. Through the secondary hydraulic fluid chamber 4d of the master cylinder 4.

A liquid amount detection unit 19 is provided at a position corresponding to the liquid amount detection chamber 15. The liquid amount detection unit 19 is provided at substantially the center of the lower half 8 in the front-rear direction (vehicle front-rear direction).
The amount of hydraulic fluid stored inside is detected. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3, the liquid amount detection unit 19 is disposed in a float chamber 21 surrounded by a cylindrical partition wall 20 (corresponding to the second guide of the present invention) and has a magnet 22 at the upper end. , A limit switch 24 provided on the outside of the upper half 9 and operated by a magnet 22 at the upper part of the liquid amount detecting unit 19, and a cylindrical (round bar) guide 25 (first of the present invention). 1) and an anti-adsorption protrusion 26.

The float chamber 21 is always in communication with the liquid amount detection chamber 15 on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical partition wall 20 through a relatively small diameter communication hole 20 a formed in the cylindrical partition wall 20. Therefore, when the hydraulic fluid is stored in the reservoir tank 5 until the liquid level is located above the communication hole 20a, the hydraulic fluid enters the float chamber 21 through the communication hole 20a. In that case, the height of the hydraulic fluid in the float chamber 21 and the height of the hydraulic fluid in the fluid amount detection chamber 15 are always the same. Further, even if the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 outside the cylindrical partition wall 20 suddenly moves due to, for example, sudden braking or turning of the vehicle, the hydraulic fluid in the float chamber 21 is reduced by the throttle action of the communication hole 20a. Liquid level fluctuation is suppressed. Thereby, the malfunction of the limit switch 24 is prevented.

The float 23 has a float main body 23a having a circular outer peripheral surface, a magnet post 23b having a quadrangular or circular cross section projecting upward from the upper end of the float main body 23a, and an upper end of the magnet post 23b. And a magnet support portion 23c. At the center of the magnet support 23b, a circular guide hole 23d extending in the vertical direction and opening upward is formed. The float main body 23a, the magnet columns 23b and 23c, the magnet support portion 23c, and the guide hole 23d are integrally molded with foamed resin. An annular magnet 22 is fixedly supported on the magnet support portion 23c. A through hole 22a penetrating in the vertical direction is provided at the center of the annular magnet 22, and the central axis of the through hole 22a is set coaxially with the central axis of the guide hole 23d. Further, the magnet 22 is formed in a stepped shape in which the upper diameter is smaller than the lower diameter. This stepped shape prevents the magnet 22 from coming off when the magnet 22 and the float 23 are integrally molded.

  A rectangular tube-shaped limit switch mounting portion 27 is provided integrally with the upper half body 9 on the outer surface of the upper half body 9. The limit switch 24 is inserted and attached to the limit switch mounting portion 27 from the front of the drawing of FIG. 2A in the direction orthogonal to the drawing (vehicle left-right direction) (left or right in FIG. 3). ing. In this case, the center of the limit switch 24 in the vehicle front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2B) is eccentric (offset) in the front-rear direction from the center of the magnet 22. The limit switch 24 is configured as a normally closed switch that closes by itself. Depending on the height of the liquid level of the working fluid in the float chamber 21, the magnet 22 also moves up and down as the float 23 moves up and down in the float chamber 21 as shown by a solid line and a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3.

  When the hydraulic fluid is stored in the reservoir tank 5 until the height of the hydraulic fluid level is slightly higher than a predetermined minimum MIN position, the hydraulic fluid level in the float chamber 21 is also The position is the same as the liquid level in the reservoir tank 5. For this reason, the float 23 is also at a height position corresponding to the height of the liquid level. The liquid level in the float chamber 21 at this time is set to the ON / OFF switching liquid level of the limit switch 24 (that is, the liquid level where the warning lamp is turned off). Accordingly, when the liquid level in the float chamber 21 is higher than the extinguished liquid level, the float 23 moves up together with the magnet 22 and the magnet 22 approaches the limit switch 24 and turns off the limit switch 24 ( Open). That is, when the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 is higher than the extinguished liquid level, the limit switch 24 is turned off and the warning lamp is not lit.

  When the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 decreases and the level of the hydraulic fluid in the float chamber 21 decreases, the float 23 moves down together with the magnet 22, and the magnet 22 moves from the limit switch 24. Separate. Until the liquid level of the working fluid in the float chamber 21 reaches the extinguished liquid level, the limit switch 24 is maintained in the OFF state by the magnetic force of the magnet 22 even if the magnet 22 moves down. When the liquid level of the working fluid in the float chamber 21 becomes the extinguished liquid level, the maintenance of the limit switch 24 by the magnet 22 is released. Therefore, the limit switch 24 is turned on (closed) by itself and the warning light is turned on.

A cylindrical (round bar-shaped) guide 25 is provided on the upper inner surface of the upper half 9 (the inner surface of the ceiling of the reservoir tank 5).
It is drooping downward from. The guide 25 is provided integrally with the upper half 9 so that the central axis thereof is coaxial with the central axis of the annular partition wall 20. A guide hole 23 d of the float 23 is passed through the guide 25. Accordingly, the float 23 is guided by the guide 25 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical partition wall 20 to move up and down. In that case, the center of gravity of the float 23 having the magnet 22 at the upper end is located above, but the inner peripheral surfaces of the guide 25 and the cylindrical partition wall 20 even if the center of gravity is located above. (In particular, the guide 25) allows the float 23 and the magnet 22 to move up and down smoothly with almost no inclination due to their own weight.

  In that case, when the float 23 is located at a position corresponding to the extinguished liquid surface indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3, the distance S1 between the upper end surface of the magnet 22 and the upper end inner surface of the upper half body 9 is the lower end of the guide 25 and the guide. It is set to be smaller than the distance S2 from the bottom surface of the hole 23d (S1 <S2). Therefore, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, the upper end surface of the magnet 22 is surely brought into contact with the upper end inner surface of the upper half body 9 by the upward movement of the float 23.

  The adsorption preventing protrusions 26 are formed in a hemispherical shape and are provided in a predetermined number on the lower surface of the float body 23a. In that case, each adsorption | suction prevention protrusion 26 is protrudingly provided in the circumferential direction at equal intervals along the concentric circle centering on the center of the float main body 23a. Each adsorption preventing projection 26 is in contact with the bottom surface of the float chamber 21 so as to form a predetermined gap between the lower surface of the float body 23 a and the bottom surface of the float chamber 21. This prevents the lower surface of the float body 23 a from being closely adsorbed to the bottom surface of the float chamber 21 when the float 23 moves down to the maximum. Therefore, when the hydraulic fluid is supplied into the reservoir tank 5, the float 23 easily rises as the hydraulic fluid level rises, and the floating reliability (operation reliability) of the float 23 is improved.

  According to the reservoir tank 5 of this example, the float 23 is guided by the inner peripheral surface of the annular partition wall 20 in the lower float body 23a, and the float 23 is guided by the upper magnetic pole 23b of the upper end inner surface of the reservoir tank 5. The guide 25 is hung up and down while being guided by the guide 25 and the guide hole 23d provided in the magnet support 23b. Therefore, the float 23 can be moved up and down more smoothly and reliably.

In addition, a limit switch 24, which is a normally closed switch, is disposed above the magnet 22, and the magnet 22 is provided on the upper end of the float 23 by a magnet support 23b. In this way, the magnet 22 is supported by the magnet columns 23b and 23c.
Is supported on the upper end of the float 23, the vertical dimension of the float 23 can be increased. Therefore, the float 23 can be moved up and down smoothly and reliably according to the liquid level of the working fluid. At this time, the center of gravity of the float 23 provided with the magnet 22 at the upper end is positioned upward. Even when the center of gravity is positioned upward in this way, the float 23 and the magnet 22 are moved by their own weight. It can be moved up and down smoothly with almost no inclination.

In addition, since the float 23 moved upward by the guide 25 is guided, the float 23 can be reliably guided and the magnet 22 can be centered by regulating the position with respect to the limit switch 24. Thereby, even if the gravity center position of the float 23 is located upward, the tilt of the float 23 and the magnet 22 can be more reliably suppressed. Accordingly, the float switch 23 and the magnet 22 can be more reliably turned on and off by their own weights. In this way, by guiding the float 23 with the upper guide 25, a rib or the like for reinforcing the annular partition 20 for guiding by the inner peripheral surface of the lower annular partition 20 becomes unnecessary. Thereby, the cross-sectional shape of the annular partition 20 can be made into a perfect circle at the time of resin molding.

  Further, since the magnet 22 is provided at the upper end of the float 23, the magnet 22 can be brought close to the limit switch 24. As a result, the extinguishing liquid level can be moved away from the limit switch 24. Accordingly, it is possible to set the working fluid storage capacity of the reservoir tank 5 larger. Moreover, even if the extinguishing liquid level is moved away from the limit switch 24, the position of the magnet 22 on the extinguishing liquid level of the float 23 can be brought closer to the limit switch 24. Thereby, the operational reliability of the limit switch 24 can be increased. As a result, the magnetic force of the magnet can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  Further, since the float chamber 21 in the cylindrical partition wall 20 and the liquid amount detection chamber 15 outside the cylindrical partition wall 20 are always in communication with each other through the communication hole 20a, for example, the cylindrical partition wall 20 is caused by sudden braking or sudden turning of the vehicle. Even if the working fluid in the external reservoir tank 5 suddenly moves, the fluid level fluctuation of the working fluid in the float chamber 21 can be suppressed by the throttling action of the communication hole 20a. Thereby, the malfunction of the limit switch 24 can be prevented, and the erroneous lighting of the warning lamp can be prevented.

  Furthermore, since the upper part of the float 23 is comprised by the magnet support | pillar 23b, the pressure receiving area of the hydraulic fluid of the magnet support | pillar 23b can be made small. Thereby, even if the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 moves suddenly, for example, due to sudden braking or turning of the vehicle, the force applied to the magnet column 23b by the moving hydraulic fluid can be suppressed. Therefore, the influence on the float 23 due to the rapid movement of the working fluid can be reduced, the malfunction of the limit switch 24 can be more effectively prevented, and the erroneous lighting of the warning lamp can be prevented more reliably.

  Furthermore, the volume in the float chamber 21 can be variously changed by variously changing the length and diameter of the magnet support 23b. Therefore, it is possible to respond more flexibly and more reliably to different reservoir tanks 5 depending on the type of vehicle on which the reservoir tank 5 is mounted.

  4A and 4B show another example of the embodiment of the reservoir tank of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a front view, FIG. 4B is a longitudinal sectional view in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. In the following description, the same components as those in the above example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the above-described example, the guide 25 is suspended from the inner surface of the upper end of the reservoir tank 5, but as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5, the guide 25 is provided in the reservoir tank 5 of this example. Not. Instead, an annular rib 28 (corresponding to the horizontal holding portion of the present invention) is suspended from the inner surface of the upper end of the reservoir tank 5. The center of the annular rib 28 coincides with the centers of the float 23 and the magnet 22.

  Further, in the reservoir tank 5 of this example, the annular partition 20 of the above example is not provided. Further, in the reservoir tank 5 of this example, the diameter of the float main body 23a is set to be much larger than that of the above-described example, and an annular stopper 29 is provided on the upper surface of the float main body 23a. The center of the annular stopper 29 also coincides with the centers of the float 23 and the magnet 22. The annular stopper 29 can come into contact with the annular rib 28 when the float 23 moves up. In this case, the lower end surface of the annular rib 28 is a horizontal plane, and the upper end surface of the annular stopper 29 is also a horizontal plane. Therefore, when the annular stopper 29 comes into contact with the annular rib 28, the float body 23a is held horizontally.

Further, a columnar (round bar-shaped) guide 30 is suspended from the center of the lower surface of the float body 23a. A cylindrical guide 31 into which the guide 30 is fitted protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the lower half 8. By fitting the guide 30 of the float body 23a to the cylindrical guide 31 of the lower half body 8, the float body 23a is guided in the vertical direction.
Further, in the reservoir tank 5 of this example, the center of the magnet 22 in the left-right direction and the center of the limit switch 24 in the left-right direction are offset, and the center of the magnet 22 in the front-rear direction and the center of the limit switch 24 in the front-rear direction. And are matched.

Thus, according to the reservoir tank 5 of this example, the lower part of the float 23 is connected to the guide 30,
31, and when the float 23 moves upward, the upper portion of the float 23 is held horizontally by the annular rib 28 and the annular stopper 29. Therefore, even when the float 23 moves upward and the guide amount by the guides 30 and 31 decreases, the float 23 can be reliably held horizontally by the annular rib 28 and the annular stopper 29. In addition, even when the reservoir tank 5 is tilted when the vehicle is tilted, the float 23 can be reliably held horizontally by the annular rib 28 and the annular stopper 29. Thereby, when the float 23 moves up, the float 23 can be moved up and down more smoothly and reliably, and the operational reliability of the float 23 can be improved. As a result, malfunction of the limit switch 24 can be suppressed, and erroneous lighting of the warning lamp can be prevented.

Moreover, since the diameter of the float main body 23a is set large, the influence on the float 23 by the undulation of the liquid surface of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 can be suppressed, and the float 23 can be held more stably and horizontally. can do.
Other configurations of the reservoir tank 5 and the brake device 1 in this example are substantially the same as those in the above-described example.
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.

It is a figure showing typically a brake equipment provided with an example of an embodiment of a reservoir tank concerning the present invention. (A) is a front view which shows the reservoir tank of this example, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank of this example. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a liquid amount detection unit in FIG. (A) is a front view which shows the other example of embodiment of the reservoir tank based on this invention, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank of this example. FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of a liquid amount detection unit of the reservoir tank shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hydraulic brake device, 2 ... Brake pedal, 3 ... Booster device, 4 ... Tandem master cylinder, 5 ... Reservoir tank, 6 ... Brake cylinder, 8 ... Lower half body, 9 ... Upper half body, 10 ... Hydraulic fluid Inlet 11, cap 12, hydraulic fluid supply section 13 hydraulic fluid storage chamber 15 fluid volume detection chamber 16 primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 17 secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 18 partition wall 18 a Upper end, 19 ... Liquid amount detection unit, 20 ... Cylindrical partition wall, 20a ... Communication hole, 21 ... Float chamber, 22 ... Magnet, 23 ... Float, 23a ... Float body, 23b ... Magnet post
23c ... Magnet support part, 23d ... Guide hole, 24 ... Limit switch, 25 ... Guide, 26 ... Adsorption prevention projection, 27 ... Limit switch mounting part, 28 ... Circular rib, 29 ... Circular stopper, 30 ... Circle Columnar guide, 31 ... Cylindrical guide

Claims (4)

Provided with a liquid amount detection unit for detecting the stored hydraulic fluid,
A limit switch that turns on when the liquid level of the stored hydraulic fluid is below a predetermined liquid level and that turns off when the liquid level is higher than the predetermined liquid level, and a magnet that turns the limit switch on and off And a float that moves up and down according to the liquid level of the working fluid, and the reservoir tank in which the limit switch is provided above the magnet,
The magnet is attached to the upper end of the float,
The float is guided such that its upper part can be moved up and down by a first guide suspended from the inner surface of the upper end, and its lower part can be moved up and down by a second guide projecting upward from the bottom surface. It is adapted to be,
The first guide has a columnar guide projecting downward from the inner surface of the upper end, and a guide hole provided in the vertical direction at the center of the float and fitted into the guide,
The second guide has a cylindrical partition wall that protrudes upward from the bottom surface and forms a float chamber in which the float moves up and down.
The float has an upper portion guided by the guide hole and the guide so as to be movable up and down, and a lower portion guided by the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical partition wall so as to be movable up and down. And reservoir tank. Provided with a liquid amount detection unit for detecting the stored hydraulic fluid,
A limit switch that turns on when the liquid level of the stored hydraulic fluid is below a predetermined liquid level and that turns off when the liquid level is higher than the predetermined liquid level, and a magnet that turns the limit switch on and off And a float that moves up and down according to the liquid level of the working fluid, and the reservoir tank in which the limit switch is provided above the magnet,
The magnet is attached to the upper end of the float,
The upper part of the float is held horizontally by a horizontal holding part provided on the inner surface of the upper end during upward movement, and the lower part thereof is guided by a guide so as to be movable up and down .
The horizontal holding portion has an annular rib hanging from the inner surface of the upper end, and an annular stopper provided on the upper surface of the float and capable of contacting the lower end of the annular rib,
The guide has a rod-shaped first guide suspended from the center of the lower surface of the float, and a cylindrical second guide provided on the bottom surface and fitted with the first guide,
The float is guided by the first and second guides so that it can move up and down at the lower part, and when the upper part moves, the annular stopper comes into contact with the annular rib so that the float is kept horizontal. features and be lapis lazuli Zabatanku that it is so. The float has a float main body and a magnet column protruding upward from the upper surface of the float main body,
The reservoir tank according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is attached to an upper end portion of the magnet column . 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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