JPH10212953A - Reserve tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent leakage of liquid reserved in a tank main body. SOLUTION: In a reserve tank 20 provided with a reserve tank main body 21 constituted by forming an opening part 21a1 on an upper part of a hollow body in which prescribed liquid L is reserved, and a reserve tank cap 22 wnich is detachably fitted to true opening part 21a1, a valve element 28 having a predetermined elasticity which is deformable by contact with liquid L reserved in the tank main body 21 or its splash is provided. The valve element 28 is joined with a determined member in the reserve tank main body 21 in its deformable condition so as to shutout liquid L to be invaded into the opening part 21a1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reserve tank for storing a coolant for an engine, for example, a coolant for a water-cooled engine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A motorcycle equipped with a water-cooled engine is provided with a reserve tank for adjusting expansion due to heat of cooling water and pressure fluctuation in a cooling water passage. Conventionally, there has been a problem of leakage of liquid from a cap portion or the like and ejection of liquid. For example, in the case of a four-wheeled vehicle, it is usual that a reserve tank is disposed near the wheels, and vibration during running is easily transmitted directly. A problem arises. In the case of a motorcycle, a reserve tank is often attached to the vehicle body above the swing arm, and the transmitted vibration is more intense than that of a four-wheeled vehicle.

In order to solve the above problems, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Hei 4-69630, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-166218, and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Sho 62-1793 have been proposed.
No. 28, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 55-76429, and the like. Among them, the above-mentioned one is configured such that a wave suppressing member in which a plurality of plate-like pieces are radially arranged is fixed to an inner surface of a cap, and is suspended in a tank body. In addition, a water draining member for preventing cooling water scattered in the tank body from directly falling on the pressure relief port of the breather is provided. Further, the pressure regulating valve described above is provided with a pressure regulating valve that opens when the internal pressure of the reservoir tank is equal to or higher than a predetermined upper limit pressure and is equal to or lower than a predetermined lower limit pressure. Further, a float is provided so as to be able to freely slide along a rubber tube inserted vertically into the reserve tank body.

[0004]

However, in the above-described apparatus, it is possible to suppress the generation of the waves of the cooling water stored in the tank body to some extent. It is impossible to completely prevent the cooling water from waving, and it is not possible to prevent the cooling water from splashing to the cooling water supply port or overflow liquid discharge port. Cannot be completely prevented. Also, even in the case of (1), since the draining member is always disposed with a certain gap between the tank body and the tank body, the cooling water flows through this gap from the opening of the tank body or the breather. And may leak from the cap or enter the breather.

Further, the pressure regulating valve regulates the internal pressure of the reserve tank, which can prevent the cooling water from being blown out due to the rise of the internal pressure. Cannot be prevented, and a sufficient cooling water leakage preventing effect cannot be expected. In addition, even in the case of the above, when the rocking is severe, the cooling water cannot be prevented from being scattered in the tank body, and the scattered cooling water leaks from the opening of the tank body. Therefore, sufficient cooling water leakage performance cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reserve tank which can surely prevent leakage of cooling water stored in a tank body from the tank body. And

[0007]

The present invention has the following structure to solve the above-mentioned object. That is, the present invention relates to a reserve tank including a tank body having an opening formed in an upper portion of a hollow body storing predetermined cooling water, and a cap detachably fitted to the opening. A valve body having a predetermined elasticity that can be deformed by contact with the cooling water stored in the tank body or its splash is provided, and the valve body contacts a predetermined member in the tank body in the deformed state. The cooling water is prevented from entering the opening.

[0008] Further, at least one convex portion is formed on the inner surface of the tank body at a position below the valve body, and the convex portion allows the cooling water stored in the tank body to flow in the direction of the valve body. You may guide it. In addition, the valve
A small hole that can communicate with a breather passage provided in the tank body may be formed.

In the present invention having the above structure, even if a vehicle or the like having the tank body vibrates violently and the cooling water stored therein scatters toward the opening of the tank body, the cooling water remains in the tank. It comes into contact with a valve body provided facing the opening of the main body. Then, due to the pressing force at the time of the contact, the valve body is elastically deformed and comes into close contact with a predetermined member in the tank body, so that the cooling water is prevented from entering the opening side. Further, if the projecting portion of the tank body guides the cooling water oscillating in the tank body toward the valve body, the cooling water is prevented from rising to the opening along the inner surface of the tank body. And the valve body and the tank body can be securely brought into close contact with each other in accordance with the oscillation and scattering of the cooling water.
A more excellent effect of preventing leakage of cooling water can be obtained.
Furthermore, if a small hole communicating with the breather passage is formed in the tank body, leakage of the cooling water can be prevented while ensuring the breather function.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an explanatory side view of a motorcycle to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG.
3 is an explanatory side view showing an arrangement state of the cooling device in FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the reserve tank shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional explanatory side view of the one shown in FIG.

In the motorcycle 1 shown in FIG. 1, an upper pipe 2b and a lower tube 2c extending rearward are fixed to a head pipe 2a constituting a front end of a frame 2 forming a frame of a vehicle body. Upper pipe 2
At the rear end of b, a seat rail 2d extending obliquely upward and rearward is fixed, while a main frame 2e projecting downward is fixed, and the pivot plate 2e has A front end of a swing arm 4 that rotatably supports the rear wheel 3 is swingably supported in a vertical direction about a pivot 4a. A fuel tank 5 is fixed to the upper pipe 2b.
A seat 6 is fixed to d, and an engine 7 is suspended between the lower tube 2c and the pivot plate 2e.

The motorcycle 1 shown here employs a water cooling system in which the engine 7 is cooled by cooling water (cooling water), and the cooling water is supplied by a cooling system as shown in FIGS. Device 8 is used. That is, a radiator 9 for storing and cooling the cooling water is fixed in front of the lower tube 2c of the motorcycle 1, and the radiator 9 is connected to a cylinder head 7a of the engine 7 and a crankcase via a pipe 10. 7b is connected, and a reserve tank 20 is connected via an inlet hose 11. The reserve tank 20 is held by a seat rail 2d above the pivot 4a, and externally detachably fits with a reserve tank body 21 and a mouth 21a formed on an upper surface of the reserve tank body 21. Reserve tank cap 2
2, and its internal structure is as shown in FIG.

That is, a cylindrical mouth portion 21a having a diameter shorter than the width of the reserve tank body 21 is formed on the upper surface of the reserve tank body 21 in the first embodiment so as to protrude therefrom. A reserve tank cap 22 capable of closing the upper opening 21a1, which is a cooling water supply port, is detachably fitted to the cooling water supply port. A seal member 23 made of rubber or the like that fits tightly into the upper opening 21a1 is fixed to the lower surface of the reserve tank cap 22, and a central portion of the reserve tank cap 22 is shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, two pipes 24 and 25 penetrate the upper and lower surfaces of the reserve tank cap 22.
Has been fixed. At the upper end of the pipe 24,
One end of the inlet hose 11 is connected,
The other end of the inlet hose 11 is connected to a radiator cap 9a as shown in FIG. 3B, and is connected to the radiator 9 via a radiator conductor 12 and a pipe 10.
Linked to

As shown in FIG. 4, a hose 26 connected to the lower end of the pipe 24 is
1, the lower end of which is located near the bottom of the reserve tank body 21. On the other hand, the lower end of the other pipe 25 into which the reserve tank cap 22 is inserted is
It is inserted so as to be located above the lower opening edge 21a2 of the mouth portion 21a of the reserve tank body 21, and a breather hose 27 is provided at the upper end of the pipe 25.
Is connected, and the other end of the breather hose 27 is open to the atmosphere.

A valve body 28 made of an elastic member such as rubber or resin is fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the hose 26 fitted to the pipe 24. This valve element 28
A cylindrical portion 29 fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the hose 26 and one annular elastic piece 30 are integrally formed on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 29. The thickness of the elastic piece 30 is gradually reduced toward the outer peripheral direction, and can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the reserve tank cap 22 is mounted, the elastic piece 30 has a larger diameter than the edge of the lower opening 21a2 of the mouth 21a of the reserve tank main body 21 and the edge of the lower opening 21a2. , The lower opening 21a2 can be closed and the communication with the outside air can be cut off. However, the elastic piece 30 is always separated from the edge of the lower opening 21a2, and a predetermined gap is formed between the elastic piece 30 and the elastic piece 30. The elastic piece 30 has a small hole 30a for ventilation.

Next, the operation will be described based on the above configuration. During running, when the body of the motorcycle 1 swings up or down due to unevenness of the road surface, or when starting and stopping is performed, the cooling water L swings and undulates in the reserve tank 20, and the wave is generated. While hitting the inner surface of the tank 20, the splash of the wave scatters in all directions. At this time, the waves or splashes generated toward the mouth 21a of the reserve tank 20 are reduced by the lower opening 21a2 of the mouth 21a.
Immediately before reaching the elastic piece 30 of the valve body 28.
Then, the elastic piece 3
0 is deformed inward and comes into close contact with the periphery of the lower opening 21a2. For this reason, the cooling water L is supplied to the
1a is prevented from entering, and leakage from the upper opening 21a1 of the mouth 21a is prevented.

When the pressure in the reserve tank 20 increases due to the expansion of the cooling water or the like, the air in the reserve tank 20 is discharged from the breather hose 27 as is well known. Tank 2
If the cooling water L has intruded into the mouth 21a of the zero, there is a possibility that the cooling water L will flow out of the breather hose 27, but as described above, the cooling water L has entered the mouth 21a. Is prevented by the resilient piece 30, so that the cooling water L does not leak from the breather hose 27, and the leakage of the cooling water L from the reserve tank 20 can be reliably prevented even when the vehicle body vibrates violently. it can. In addition, since the elastic piece 30 has the small hole 30a, even when the elastic piece 30 closes the lower opening 21a2 of the mouth 21a2, the space above the elastic piece 30 (the space in the mouth). Since air permeability between the air and the lower space is maintained, the inflow and outflow of air from the breather hose 26 can be reliably performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where a single elastic piece 30 is protruded from the valve body 28 has been described as an example. However, a plurality of elastic pieces may be provided.
For example, like the valve body 40 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the cylindrical portion 41 fitted to the hose 26 may be provided with elastic pieces 42 and 43 that vertically overlap with a predetermined gap therebetween. According to this, the upper and lower two elastic pieces 42 and 43 block the splash of the cooling water, so that a better liquid leakage preventing effect can be obtained. Moreover, in the second embodiment, a protrusion 21A is formed on the side surface of the reserve tank body 21 so as to protrude inward.
Since the liquid L which is going to rise along the inner surface of the reserve tank body 21 is guided to the inside of the reserve tank body 21 by the convex portion 21A when the O is swung, the elastic piece 42 There is no possibility that the liquid L penetrates into the mouth 21a through a slight gap between the liquid L and the lower opening edge 21a2. As a result, the intrusion of droplets can be reliably blocked by the valve body 40, and an excellent liquid leakage prevention effect can be obtained.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the elastic pieces 30, 42, 43 of the valve bodies 28, 40 are brought into close contact with the edge of the lower opening 21a2 of the mouth 21a.
Although the liquid L is prevented from leaking, the elastic piece of the valve body may be brought into contact with other parts in the reserve tank to prevent the liquid L from leaking to the mouth 21a. is there. For example, a third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 has a cylindrical portion 51 formed by an elastic member having one end fixed to the lower surface of the reserve tank cap 22.
The upper and lower two elastic pieces 52 and 53 integrally formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 51 constitute a valve body 50. 42a and 43a are small holes for ventilation.

The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 51 is
The inner surface of the mouth portion 21a is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of the cap 21a, and the inner surface of the mouth portion 21a is in close contact with the cap mounted state. The elastic piece 52 is formed to project annularly from the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 51. The thickness of the elastic piece 52 is gradually reduced toward the inner diameter direction, and the inner diameter is close to the outer surface of the hose. The dimensions are set so as to be able to be set, and are always arranged so as to be separated from the hose 26 via a slight gap. Note that other configurations are the same as those of the first and second embodiments.
This embodiment is the same as in the first embodiment, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the mouth portion 21a of the reserve tank body 21 and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 51 are kept in close contact with each other, so Even when the liquid L scatters to the outer peripheral surface side of the cylindrical portion 51, the liquid L does not enter the upper opening 21a1 of the mouth portion 21a, and leakage of the liquid from the upper opening 21a1 is prevented. Is prevented. Further, when the liquid L scatters toward the inside of the cylindrical portion 51, the liquid L abuts on the elastic pieces 52 and 53 and drops downward. At this time, since the elastic pieces 52 and 53 come into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the hose 26 due to the contact with the liquid L, the liquid L does not intrude from between the hose 26 and the elastic pieces 52 and 53 and the mouth 21 a The intrusion of the liquid L into the liquid can be reliably prevented. Accordingly, even when air is being discharged from the breather hose 27 due to an increase in the pressure inside the reserve tank body 21, the liquid L is not discharged from the breather hose 27 due to the swing of the reserve tank 20, and the liquid L
Can be reduced.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The fourth embodiment shown here is one in which the elastic piece in the third embodiment is one and an annular seal plate 63 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the hose 26 at a position above the elastic piece 62. It has become. Further, a convex portion 21A that protrudes inward is formed on the side surface of the reserve tank body 21 in this embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same or corresponding parts as those described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, when the liquid 1 comes into contact with the elastic piece 62, the elastic piece 62 is elastically deformed and comes into close contact with the seal plate 63, and
1A is prevented from entering the liquid L, and a protrusion 21A formed on a side surface of the reserve body 21.
Guides the oscillating liquid L toward the inside of the reserve tank body 21, and prevents the liquid L from rising along the inner surface of the reserve tank body 21. Further, since the splashed liquid is guided toward the elastic piece 62 that provides high liquid tightness, an excellent liquid leakage prevention effect can be obtained.

In each of the above embodiments, the valve 6
Although 0 is provided on the reserve tank cap 22 or the hose 26, it may be provided on the reserve tank main body 21. Further, the elastic piece 62 of the valve body 60 may be provided in a portion as shown in each of the above-described embodiments, that is, the reserve Tank body 2
1, it is also possible to make contact with parts other than the parts such as the hose 26 and the seal plate 63. For example, it is also possible to fix the valve body 60 to the reserve tank main body 21 and make the elastic piece 62 contact the reserve tank cap 22.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the reserve tank 20 is provided above the pivot for holding the swing arm has been described as an example.
May be attached to the rear part of the seat rail 2d of the motorcycle as shown in FIG. 8, and in such a case, the rocking of the reserve tank 20 is further increased. Therefore, if the present invention is applied to this, The effect is even greater. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a reserve tank that stores oil to be supplied to an oil cooler or the like.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A valve body having a predetermined elasticity that can be deformed by contact with a liquid stored in the tank body or its splash is provided, and the valve body can be joined to a predetermined member in the tank body. Leakage of the liquid stored in the inside of the tank main body can be reliably prevented. Further, if the projecting portion of the tank body guides the liquid swinging in the tank body toward the valve body, the valve body and the tank body can be securely brought into close contact with each other in accordance with the swinging and scattering of the liquid. And a more excellent liquid leakage prevention effect can be obtained. Further, if a small hole communicating with the breather passage is formed in the tank body, it is possible to prevent the liquid from leaking while ensuring the breather function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory side view showing an example of a motorcycle to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory side view showing an arrangement state of a cooling device in the one shown in FIG.

3A is a plan view showing a reserve tank and the like shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing a peripheral structure of a radiator cap.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory vertical sectional side view showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory vertical sectional side view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory vertical sectional side view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory vertical sectional side view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory side view showing another example of a reserve tank of a motorcycle to which the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 9 radiator 9a radiator cap 20 reserve tank 21 reserve tank main body 21a1 upper opening 21a2 lower opening 21A convex 25 pipe (breather passage) 28, 40, 50, 60 valve body 30a, 43a small hole

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A reserve tank comprising: a tank body having an opening formed above a hollow body for storing a predetermined liquid; and a cap detachably fitted to the opening. A valve body having a predetermined elasticity that can be deformed by contact with a liquid stored in the main body or splashes thereof is provided, and the valve body contacts a predetermined member in the tank body in its deformed state, A reserve tank wherein liquid is prevented from entering the opening. 2. A protruding portion is formed on the inner surface of the tank main body at at least one position below the valve body, and the protruding portion guides the liquid stored in the tank main body toward the valve body. A reserve tank characterized by the following. 3. The reserve tank according to claim 1, wherein the valve body has a small hole that can communicate with a breather passage provided in the tank body.