Liquid storage tank assembly and heat pump system comprising same

Abstract

The invention discloses a liquid storage tank assembly and a heat pump system comprising the liquid storage tank assembly. The reservoir assembly may include a reservoir configured to remove air contained in a coolant, and an adapter fluidly connecting the reservoir and a coolant line along which the coolant flows. A portion of the coolant flowing along the coolant line is introduced through the adapter into any one of the plurality of degassing chambers. Coolant passing through the plurality of degassing chambers is discharged through the adapter to the coolant line.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0147453 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on October 31, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a liquid storage tank assembly and a heat pump system including the same, and more particularly, to a liquid storage tank assembly and a heat pump system capable of removing air contained in a coolant. Background Art

[0004] Generally, an air conditioning apparatus applied to an environmentally friendly vehicle is generally called a heat pump system.

[0005] The heat pump system for a vehicle is equipped with a reservoir tank to prepare for the volume change of the coolant caused by the change in the coolant temperature. When the coolant is heated and the volume of the coolant expands, the coolant with the increased volume is temporarily stored in the reservoir tank. When the coolant is cooled and the volume of the coolant decreases, the coolant stored in the reservoir tank is supplied to the cooling line.

[0006] The coolant contains air when it is heated and cooled. When the coolant contains excessive air, the cooling efficiency achieved by the coolant is reduced and the total amount of coolant in the entire heat pump system increases. In addition, while the coolant is flowing, the air contained in the coolant generates noise, and the noise adversely affects the blades of the cooling pump.

[0007] When the capacity of the fluid reservoir is increased to solve these problems, the volume (ie, size) of the fluid reservoir increases, which adversely affects the packaging of the vehicle.

[0008] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancing understanding of the background of the present invention. Therefore, the Background section may contain information that does not constitute the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention seeks to provide a fluid storage tank assembly and a heat pump system including the fluid storage tank assembly, which are capable of removing air contained in a coolant.

[0010] The reservoir assembly according to the present invention may include a reservoir configured to remove air contained in a coolant. The assembly may further include an adapter configured to fluidically connect the reservoir and a coolant line along which the coolant flows. A portion of the coolant flowing along the coolant line may be introduced into any one of a plurality of degassing chambers through the adapter. The coolant passing through the plurality of degassing chambers may be discharged to the coolant line through the adapter.

[0011] In an embodiment, the adapter may include a coolant inlet through which a portion of the coolant flowing along the coolant line is introduced. The coolant inlet may be configured to communicate with any one of the plurality of degassing chambers. The adapter may also include a coolant outlet through which the coolant passing through the plurality of degassing chambers is discharged. The coolant outlet may be configured to communicate with another of the plurality of degassing chambers.

[0012] In an embodiment, the reservoir assembly has a housing, which may include a lower housing and an upper housing, the lower housing having a plurality of lower partition walls, the upper housing being disposed above the lower housing and having upper partition walls corresponding to the lower partition walls. The lower partition walls and the upper partition walls may jointly define a plurality of degassing chambers to remove air contained in the coolant.

[0013] In an embodiment, degassing holes may be formed in the plurality of lower partition walls.

[0014] In an embodiment, the degassing holes may be positioned to maximize the flow distance of the coolant.

[0015] In an embodiment, the adapter may include a coolant inlet fluidly connected to a first bypass line branched from the coolant line and configured to communicate with any one of the plurality of degassing chambers. The adapter may also include a coolant outlet fluidly connected to a second bypass line branched from the coolant line on a downstream side of the first bypass line and configured to communicate with another of the plurality of degassing chambers. The coolant outlet may be configured to discharge the coolant having passed through the plurality of degassing chambers through the coolant outlet.

[0016] In an embodiment, the liquid storage tank assembly has a shell, which may include a lower shell and an upper shell, wherein the lower shell has a plurality of lower partition walls, and the upper shell is disposed above the lower shell and has an upper partition wall corresponding to the lower partition wall. The lower partition wall and the upper partition wall may jointly define a plurality of degassing chambers.

[0017] In an embodiment, degassing holes may be formed in the plurality of lower partition walls.

[0018] In an embodiment, the degassing holes may be positioned to maximize the flow distance of the coolant.

[0019] The heat pump system according to the embodiment may include a coolant line, a reservoir tank, and an adapter, the coolant flows along the coolant line, the reservoir tank is configured to remove air contained in the coolant, and the adapter is configured to fluidly connect the reservoir tank and the coolant line. A portion of the coolant flowing along the coolant line can be introduced into any one of the multiple degassing chambers through the adapter. The coolant passing through the multiple degassing chambers can be discharged to the coolant line through the adapter.

[0020] In an embodiment, the adapter may include a coolant inlet through which a portion of the coolant flowing along the coolant line is introduced into the housing of the reservoir tank. The adapter may also include a coolant outlet through which the coolant passing through the plurality of degassing chambers is discharged.

[0021] In an embodiment, the reservoir has a shell, which may include a lower shell and an upper shell, the lower shell having a plurality of lower partition walls, the upper shell being disposed above the lower shell and having upper partition walls corresponding to the lower partition walls. The lower partition walls and the upper partition walls may jointly define a plurality of degassing chambers to remove air contained in the coolant.

[0022] In an embodiment, degassing holes may be formed in the plurality of lower partition walls.

[0023] In an embodiment, the degassing holes may be positioned to maximize the flow distance of the coolant.

[0024] In an embodiment, the heat pump system may further include a first bypass line and a second bypass line, the first bypass line branching from the coolant line, the second bypass line branching from the coolant line at the downstream side of the first bypass line. The coolant inlet of the adapter may be fluidly connected to the first bypass line, and the coolant outlet of the adapter may be fluidly connected to the second bypass line.

[0025] In an embodiment, the liquid storage tank has a shell, which may include a lower shell and an upper shell, wherein the lower shell has a plurality of lower partition walls, and the upper shell is disposed above the lower shell and has an upper partition wall corresponding to the lower partition wall. The lower partition wall and the upper partition wall may jointly define a plurality of degassing chambers.

[0026] In an embodiment, degassing holes may be formed in the plurality of lower partition walls.

[0027] In an embodiment, the degassing holes may be positioned to maximize the flow distance of the coolant.

[0028] According to the liquid storage tank assembly and the heat pump system including the same of the present invention as described above, the liquid storage tank assembly and the coolant pipeline are arranged in parallel, which can effectively remove the air contained in the coolant flowing along the coolant pipeline.

[0029] Since the air contained in the coolant is removed, the cooling efficiency can be improved. In addition, the capacity of the reservoir tank can be reduced, which can achieve favorable effects related to vehicle packaging.

[0030] Other effects that can be obtained or expected by the embodiments of the present invention are disclosed directly or implicitly in the detailed description of the present invention. Various effects expected according to the present invention are disclosed in the embodiments described in the detailed description as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Since the drawings are provided for reference to describe the embodiments of the present invention, the technical spirit of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the attached drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a heat pump system to which the liquid storage tank assembly according to the present invention is applied.

[0033] Figure 2 The present invention is a perspective view showing the structure of a liquid storage tank assembly.

[0034] Figure 3 The diagram is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the structure of a liquid storage tank assembly according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 The present invention is a perspective view showing the configuration of a liquid storage tank assembly excluding an upper housing.

[0036] Figure 5 The figure is a perspective view showing the structure of the upper housing according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 6 A conceptual diagram showing a configuration in which a reservoir tank assembly according to another example of the present invention is connected to a coolant line.

[0038] Figure 7 The present invention is a perspective view showing the construction of a fluid storage tank assembly according to another example of the present invention.

[0039] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale but rather provide somewhat simplified representations of various features that illustrate the basic principles of the invention. For example, the specific design features of the present invention (including specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes) will be determined in part by the specific target application and use environment.

[0040] Description of reference numerals:

[0041] 100: First cooling circuit

[0042] 111: First coolant line

[0043] 112: First branch pipeline

[0044] 113: First valve

[0045] 117: First bypass line

[0046] 118: Second bypass line

[0047] 120: First Radiator

[0048] 130: Cooling fan

[0049] 140: Electrical components

[0050] 170: First water pump

[0051] 200: Second cooling circuit

[0052] 211: Second coolant line

[0053] 212: Second branch pipeline

[0054] 213: The third branch pipeline

[0055] 214: Second valve

[0056] 220: Second radiator

[0057] 230: Battery module

[0058] 240: Battery heater

[0059] 250: Battery Cooler

[0060] 260: Water-cooled heat exchanger

[0061] 270: Second water pump

[0062] 300: Fluid storage tank

[0063] 310: Shell

[0064] 320: Lower housing

[0065] 330: Lower partition wall - overall

[0066] 331: Lower partition wall - vertical, longitudinal, longitudinal

[0067] 332: Auxiliary lower partition wall - vertical, longitudinal, longitudinal

[0068] 335: Lower dividing wall - horizontal, width, transverse

[0069] 339: Degassing hole

[0070] 340: Degassing chamber

[0071] 341: Entrance Chamber

[0072] 342: Middle chamber

[0073] 343: Exit Chamber

[0074] 350: Upper shell

[0075] 360: Upper dividing wall - overall

[0076] 361: Upper partition wall - vertical, longitudinal, longitudinal

[0077] 365: Upper dividing wall - horizontal, width, transverse

[0078] 380: Adapter

[0079] 381: Coolant inlet

[0080] 382: Coolant outlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] The terms used herein are only used to describe the purpose of specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless the context clearly stipulates otherwise, the singular expressions used herein are intended to include plural expressions. It should be understood that the terms "including (comprising)" and / or "including (comprising)" and variants thereof used in this specification refer to the presence of features, numerical values, steps, operations, constituent elements and / or parts. However, it is not excluded that there are or add one or more other features, numerical values, steps, operations, constituent elements, parts and / or their groups. The terms "and / or" used herein include any one or all combinations of listed related items.

[0082] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can implement the embodiments. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0083] In order to clearly describe the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description may be omitted. Throughout the specification including the drawings, the same or similar constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0084] In addition, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for the convenience of description, and the disclosure of the present invention is not limited thereto. In order to clearly describe several parts and regions, their thickness may have been exaggerated.

[0085] In the following description, suffixes "module", "unit", "part" and / or "part" used to describe constituent elements may be used together or interchangeably for convenience of description. However, the suffixes themselves have no distinguishable meanings or functions.

[0086] Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, the detailed description of well-known related art is omitted when it has been determined that the detailed description may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification.

[0087] In addition, it should be understood that the drawings are provided only to enable those skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed in this specification. The technical spirit disclosed in this specification is not limited by the drawings, and includes all modifications, equivalents and replacements included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0088] First, a heat pump system to which the liquid storage tank assembly 300 according to the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0089] like Figure 1 As shown, the heat pump system using the liquid storage tank assembly 300 according to the present invention may include a first cooling circuit 100 and a second cooling circuit 200, wherein the first cooling circuit 100 is configured to cool the electrical component 140, and the second cooling circuit 200 is configured to cool the battery. In the present invention, a heat pump system applied to an electric vehicle is used as an example for explanation. However, the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0090] The first cooling circuit 100 may include a first radiator 120, a reservoir assembly 300, and electric components 140 disposed in a first coolant line 111 through which coolant flows. The first radiator 120, the reservoir assembly 300, and the electric components 140 may be sequentially arranged in the first coolant line 111.

[0091] The second cooling circuit 200 may include a second radiator 220, a reservoir tank assembly 300, a battery module 230, a battery heater 240, and a battery cooler 250 disposed in a second coolant line 211 through which the coolant flows. The second radiator 220, the reservoir tank assembly 300, the battery module 230, the battery heater 240, and the battery cooler 250 may be sequentially arranged in the second coolant line 211.

[0092] In this example, the reservoir assembly 300 is disposed to overlap the first coolant line 111 and the second coolant line 211. The coolant cooled by the first radiator 120 is stored in the reservoir assembly 300 through the first coolant line 111, and the coolant cooled by the second radiator 220 is stored in the reservoir assembly 300 through the second coolant line 211. Alternatively, separate reservoir assemblies 300 (not shown) may be provided in the first coolant line 111 and the second coolant line 211, respectively.

[0093] The first water pump 170 is provided in the first coolant line 111 and is provided at the downstream side of the reservoir assembly 300. The second water pump 270 is provided in the second coolant line 211 and is provided at the downstream side of the reservoir assembly 300. The coolant stored in the reservoir assembly 300 is supplied to the first coolant line 111 by the operation of the first water pump 170, and is supplied to the second coolant line 211 by the operation of the second water pump 270. In the present invention, the reservoir assembly 300, the first water pump 170, and the second water pump 270 may be integrally formed.

[0094] The first cooling circuit 100 is described in more detail below.

[0095] The first radiator 120 is disposed at the front side of the vehicle, and the cooling fan 130 is provided at the rear of the first radiator 120. Therefore, the coolant flowing through the first coolant line 111 is cooled by the operation of the cooling fan 130 and heat exchange with the outside air.

[0096] The electrical components 140 may include a power control device, a power conversion device (e.g., an inverter or an on-board charger (OBC)), a drive motor, an autonomous driving controller, etc. The power control device, the inverter, or the autonomous driving controller may generate heat when the vehicle is traveling, and the charger may generate heat when charging the battery. The electrical components 140 may be disposed in the first coolant line 111 and cooled in a water-cooling manner.

[0097] As needed, the first cooling circuit 100 may have a first branch line 112. The first branch line 112 may branch from the first coolant line 111 on the upstream side of the first radiator 120 and merge with the first coolant line 111 on the downstream side of the first radiator 120. A first valve 113 may be provided at a point where the first branch line 112 and the first coolant line 111 merge. The first valve 113 may be implemented as a three-way valve.

[0098] The coolant flowing through the first coolant line 111 is selectively supplied to the first radiator 120 by the operation of the first valve 113. In other words, in the case where the electric component 140 needs to be cooled by the coolant cooled by the first radiator 120, the first coolant line 111 connected to the first branch line 112 is closed by the operation of the first valve 113, and the first coolant line 111 passing through the first radiator 120 is opened. Therefore, the coolant heated by the heat exchange with the electric component 140 is cooled by the first radiator 120. Conversely, in the case where the electric component 140 does not need to be cooled by the coolant cooled by the first radiator 120, the first coolant line 111 passing through the first radiator 120 is closed by the operation of the first valve 113, and the first branch line 112 and the first coolant line 111 are communicated with each other. Therefore, the coolant is not supplied to the first radiator 120.

[0099] The second cooling circuit 200 is described in more detail below.

[0100] The second radiator 220 is disposed in front of the first radiator 120, and cools the coolant flowing through the second coolant line 211 by operation of the cooling fan 130 and heat exchange with external air. As desired, the first radiator 120 and the second radiator 220 may be integrally formed.

[0101] The second cooling circuit 200 may selectively supply the coolant cooled by the second radiator 220 to the battery module 230 .

[0102] The battery heater 240 heats the battery module 230 as needed. The battery heater 240 may be an electric heater configured to be operated by the supplied power. In other words, in the case where the temperature of the coolant to be supplied to the battery module 230 is lower than the target temperature, the battery heater 240 may be operated to heat the coolant flowing through the second coolant loop. Therefore, the coolant whose temperature is increased when passing through the battery heater 240 may be supplied to the battery module 230 and increase the temperature of the battery module 230.

[0103] The battery cooler 250 cools the battery module 230 as needed. The battery cooler 250 may reduce the temperature of the coolant introduced through the second coolant line 211 by heat exchange with the refrigerant. The low-temperature coolant that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the battery cooler 250 may be introduced into the battery module 230 and cool the battery module 230.

[0104] The second branch line 212 and the third branch line 213 may be provided in the second cooling circuit 200. The second branch line 212 branches from the second coolant line 211 on the upstream side of the second radiator 220, and merges with the second coolant line 211 on the downstream side of the second radiator 220. The third branch line 213 branches from the second coolant line 211 on the downstream side of the battery cooler 250, and merges with the second coolant line 211 on the upstream side of the battery module 230. The second valve 214 may be provided at a point where the third branch line 213 and the second coolant line 211 merge. The second valve 214 may be implemented as a three-way valve.

[0105] The coolant flowing through the second coolant line 211 is selectively supplied to the second radiator 220 by the operation of the second valve 214 .

[0106] In other words, in the case where the battery module 230 needs to be cooled by the coolant cooled by the second radiator 220, the second coolant line 211 connected to the third branch line 213 is closed by the operation of the second valve 214, and the second coolant line 211 passing through the second radiator 220 is opened. Therefore, the coolant heated by the heat exchange with the battery module 230 is cooled by the second radiator 220.

[0107] On the contrary, in the case where the battery module 230 does not need to be cooled by the coolant cooled by the second radiator 220, the second coolant line 211 passing through the second radiator 220 is closed by the operation of the second valve 214, and the third branch line 213 and the second coolant line 211 are connected to each other. Therefore, the coolant is not supplied to the second radiator 220. In this case, the second cooling circuit 200 defines two closed circuits. In other words, the second cooling circuit 200 defines a closed circuit configured to circulate through the second radiator 220, the reservoir assembly 300, and the second water pump 270. The second cooling circuit also defines another closed circuit configured to circulate through the battery module 230, the battery heater 240, and the battery cooler 250.

[0108] As needed, a water-cooled heat exchanger 260 may be provided overlapping the first coolant line 111 and the second coolant line 211 . The coolant flowing through the first coolant line 111 and the coolant flowing through the second coolant line 211 may exchange heat with each other through the water-cooled heat exchanger 260 .

[0109] Hereinafter, a fluid storage tank assembly 300 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0110] Figure 2 The present invention is a perspective view showing the structure of a liquid storage tank assembly. Figure 3The diagram is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the construction of an example of a fluid storage tank assembly according to the present invention. Figure 4 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an example of a liquid storage tank assembly according to the present invention that does not include an upper shell. Figure 5 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of one example of an upper housing according to the present invention.

[0111] Reference Figures 2 to 5 , the reservoir assembly 300 is arranged in parallel with the coolant line (the first coolant line 111 and / or the second coolant line 211). That is, a portion of the coolant flowing through the coolant line passes through the reservoir assembly 300 and is then introduced into the coolant line. The remaining coolant flows along the coolant line without passing through the reservoir assembly 300.

[0112] The reservoir assembly 300 may include a housing 310 having a plurality of spaces (a plurality of degassing chambers) configured to store a coolant, and may include an adapter 380 configured to fluidically connect the housing 310 and a coolant line. A portion of the coolant flowing through the coolant line is introduced into any one of the plurality of degassing chambers 340 through the adapter 380. The coolant passing through the plurality of degassing chambers 340 may be discharged to the coolant line through the adapter 380.

[0113] The adapter 380 has a coolant inlet 381 through which a portion of the coolant flowing along the coolant line is introduced. The adapter 380 also has a coolant outlet 382 through which the coolant passing through the plurality of degassing chambers 340 is discharged. The coolant inlet 381 may be fluidly connected to any one of the plurality of degassing chambers 340. The coolant outlet 382 may be fluidly connected to another one of the plurality of degassing chambers 340.

[0114] A plurality of degassing chambers 340 may be formed in the housing 310 and may be configured to remove air contained in the coolant. The housing 310 may include a lower housing 320 and an upper housing 350 disposed above the lower housing 320. The lower housing 320 and the upper housing 350 together define a space for storing the coolant (i.e., a plurality of degassing chambers).

[0115] The lower case 320 may be formed in an approximately hexahedral shape having a hollow portion therein and being open at an upper side thereof. The upper case 350 may be formed in an approximately hexahedral shape having a hollow portion therein and being open at a lower side thereof.

[0116] The lower housing 320 has a plurality of lower partition walls 330, and the upper housing 350 has upper partition walls 360 corresponding to the lower partition walls 330. When the housing 310 is assembled, the lower partition walls 330 and the upper partition walls 360 together define a plurality of degassing chambers 340.

[0117] The lower partition wall 330 formed in the lower housing 320 may include at least one lower longitudinal partition wall 331 and at least one lower width partition wall 335. The lower partition wall 331 and the lower partition wall 335 may be arranged to be orthogonal to each other. Depending on the use position and shape and / or size of the liquid storage tank assembly 300, these walls may be referred to as horizontal walls and vertical walls, transverse walls and longitudinal walls, walls formed in a grid pattern, longitudinal walls and width walls, etc.

[0118] One or more lower partition walls 331 may be formed to extend in the vertical direction, lengthwise direction, or longitudinal direction of the lower housing 320. In this example, there is a central lower partition wall 331 arranged in the vertical direction, lengthwise direction, or longitudinal direction. One or more lower partition walls 335 may be arranged perpendicular to the lower partition wall 331, and thus may be formed in the horizontal direction, width direction, or transverse direction. The lower partition walls 331 and 335 may each be arranged to sequentially form a plurality of such lower partition walls 331 and 335. In this example, there are three lower partition walls 335 arranged in the horizontal direction, width direction, or transverse direction. As required, an auxiliary lower partition wall 332 may be formed between the lower partition walls 335 and arranged in parallel with one lower partition wall 331 in this example.

[0119] Further, the upper partition wall 360 formed in the upper shell 350 may include an upper partition wall 361, which corresponds to the lower partition wall 331 arranged in the vertical direction, the lengthwise direction or the longitudinal direction. The upper partition wall 360 may also include an upper partition wall 365 corresponding to the lower partition wall 335 and arranged in the horizontal direction, the width direction or the transverse direction. That is, a vertical upper partition wall 361 may be formed to extend in the vertical direction, the lengthwise direction or the longitudinal direction of the upper shell 350. The upper partition wall 365 may be arranged perpendicular to the upper partition wall 361, and may include a first upper partition wall 365, a second upper partition wall 365 and a third upper partition wall 365, which are sequentially formed and correspond to the three lower partition walls 335 arranged in the horizontal direction, the width direction or the transverse direction. As needed, an auxiliary upper partition wall may be formed between the first upper partition wall 365 and the second upper partition wall 365 to correspond to the above-mentioned auxiliary lower partition wall.

[0120] A plurality of degassing chambers 340 are defined by lower partition walls 331 and 335 formed in the lower housing 320 and upper partition walls 361 and 365 formed in the upper housing 350. In the present invention, the degassing chamber 340 may include an inlet chamber 341, an outlet chamber 343, and at least one intermediate chamber 342 through which the coolant introduced through the inlet chamber 341 passes. In the present invention, seven intermediate chambers 342 may be formed. The number of degassing chambers may vary and depends on the number of various upper and lower partition walls.

[0121] The degassing holes 339 are formed at preset positions in the lower partition walls 331 and 335 of the lower partition wall 330. In the present invention, the degassing holes 339 are formed at preset positions in the lower partition walls 335 and 331 between the intermediate chambers 342.

[0122] The direction in which the coolant flows in the reservoir assembly 300 (or the flow distance of the coolant) is determined depending on the position of the degassing hole 339. In the present invention, the position of the degassing hole 339 may be formed to maximize the flow distance of the coolant in the reservoir assembly 300. As described above, as the flow distance of the coolant in the reservoir assembly 300 increases, air contained in the coolant may be easily removed.

[0123] Hereinafter, the flow of the coolant formed by the reservoir assembly 300 according to the present invention will be described.

[0124] A portion of the coolant flowing along the coolant line is introduced into the inlet chamber 341 through the coolant inlet 381 of the adapter 380 of the reservoir assembly 300. The coolant introduced into the inlet chamber 341 passes through at least one intermediate chamber 342 and is then introduced into the outlet chamber 343. The coolant introduced into the outlet chamber 343 is introduced into the coolant line through the coolant outlet 382 of the adapter 380. In the process of the coolant passing through the plurality of degassing chambers 340 in the reservoir assembly 300, the flow velocity of the coolant is reduced, and the turbulence intensity of the coolant is reduced. When the flow velocity and turbulence intensity of the coolant are reduced as described above, air contained in the coolant is discharged from the coolant.

[0125] Further, the remaining coolant flowing along the coolant line flows along the coolant line without passing through the reservoir assembly 300 .

[0126] As described above, the reservoir assembly 300 arranged in parallel with the coolant line can smoothly remove the air contained in the coolant, which can increase the specific heat of the coolant circulating through the entire heat pump system and improve the cooling performance.

[0127] In addition, the coolant from which air has been removed is introduced into the water pump. This can improve the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance of the water pump.

[0128] In addition, the reservoir assembly 300 is arranged in parallel with the coolant line and removes air contained in the coolant. This can minimize the volume of the degassing chamber 340 of the reservoir assembly 300, thereby achieving better vehicle packaging.

[0129] Figure 6 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration in which a liquid storage tank assembly 300 according to another example of the present invention is applied to a coolant pipeline. Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the construction of a liquid storage tank assembly 300 according to another example of the present invention.

[0130] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the reservoir assembly 300 is arranged in parallel with the coolant pipeline (the first coolant pipeline 111 and / or the second coolant pipeline 211). Figure 6 and Figure 7 The remaining construction and operation of the fluid storage tank assembly 300 shown in FIG. Figure 2-Figure 5 The configuration and operation process of the described fluid storage tank assembly 300 are the same, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0131] A reservoir assembly 300 according to another example of the present invention may include a reservoir 300 including a housing 310 having a plurality of degassing chambers 340. The reservoir assembly 300 may also include: an adapter 380 configured to fluidically connect any one of the plurality of degassing chambers 340 of the reservoir 300; a first bypass line 117 branched from the coolant line and fluidically connected to any one of the plurality of degassing chambers 340 of the reservoir 300; and a second bypass line 118 branched from the coolant line at the downstream side of the first bypass line 117.

[0132] The adapter 380 may include a coolant inlet 381 fluidly connected to the first bypass line 117, which branches from the coolant line and is fluidly connected to any one of the plurality of degassing chambers 340 of the reservoir 300. The adapter 380 may also include a coolant outlet 382 fluidly connected to the second bypass line 118, which branches from the coolant line on the downstream side of the first bypass line 117 and is configured to communicate with another degassing chamber 340 of the plurality of degassing chambers 340.

[0133] A portion of the coolant flowing along the coolant line is introduced into the coolant inlet 381 of the adapter 380 through the first bypass line 117. The coolant introduced into the reservoir 300 through the adapter 380 and passing through the plurality of degassing chambers 340 (e.g., the inlet chamber 341, the at least one intermediate chamber 342, and the outlet chamber 343) is discharged to the coolant outlet 382 of the adapter 380 and introduced into the coolant line through the second bypass line 118.

[0134] Further, the remaining coolant flowing along the coolant line flows along the coolant line without passing through the bypass lines 117 and 118 and the reservoir assembly 300 .

[0135] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, the detailed description of the present invention, and the drawings, and also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid storage tank assembly, comprising: a fluid reservoir configured to remove air contained in the coolant; and an adapter fluidly connecting the reservoir and a coolant line along which coolant flows; wherein a portion of the coolant flowing along the coolant pipeline is introduced into any one of the plurality of degassing chambers through an adapter; The coolant passing through the plurality of degassing chambers is discharged to the coolant line through the adapter.

2. The liquid storage tank assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The adapter comprises: a coolant inlet through which a portion of the coolant flowing along the coolant line is introduced, wherein the coolant inlet is configured to communicate with any one of the plurality of degassing chambers; and A coolant outlet through which the coolant passing through the plurality of degassing chambers is discharged, wherein the coolant outlet is configured to communicate with another degassing chamber of the plurality of degassing chambers.

3. The liquid storage tank assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The fluid storage tank assembly has a housing, the housing comprising: a lower housing having a plurality of lower partition walls; and an upper housing disposed above the lower housing and having an upper partition wall corresponding to the plurality of lower partition walls; The plurality of lower partition walls and the upper partition walls together define the plurality of degassing chambers to remove air contained in the coolant.

4. The liquid storage tank assembly according to claim 3, wherein: Degassing holes are formed in the plurality of lower partition walls.

5. The liquid storage tank assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The degassing holes are positioned to maximize the flow distance of the coolant.

6. The liquid storage tank assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The adapter comprises: a coolant inlet fluidly connected to a first bypass line branched from the coolant line and configured to communicate with any one of the plurality of degassing chambers; and a coolant outlet fluidly connected to a second bypass line that branches from the coolant line on a downstream side of the first bypass line and is configured to communicate with another degassing chamber among the plurality of degassing chambers, wherein the coolant outlet is configured to discharge the coolant that has passed through the plurality of degassing chambers through the coolant outlet.

7. The liquid storage tank assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The fluid storage tank assembly has a housing, the housing comprising: a lower housing having a plurality of lower partition walls; and an upper housing disposed above the lower housing and having an upper partition wall corresponding to the plurality of lower partition walls; The plurality of lower partition walls and the upper partition walls together define a plurality of degassing chambers.

8. The liquid storage tank assembly according to claim 7, wherein: Degassing holes are formed in the plurality of lower partition walls.

9. The liquid storage tank assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The degassing holes are positioned to maximize the flow distance of the coolant.

10. A heat pump system, comprising: a coolant line along which a coolant flows; a fluid reservoir configured to remove air contained in the coolant; as well as an adapter configured to fluidly connect the reservoir and the coolant line; wherein a portion of the coolant flowing along the coolant pipeline is introduced into any one of the plurality of degassing chambers through an adapter; The coolant passing through the plurality of degassing chambers is discharged to the coolant line through the adapter.

11. The heat pump system according to claim 10, wherein: The adapter comprises: a coolant inlet through which a portion of the coolant flowing along the coolant line is introduced into the housing of the reservoir tank; and A coolant outlet through which the coolant passing through the plurality of degassing chambers is discharged.

12. The heat pump system according to claim 10, wherein: The liquid storage tank has a housing, and the housing includes: a lower housing having a plurality of lower partition walls; and an upper housing disposed above the lower housing and having an upper partition wall corresponding to the plurality of lower partition walls; The plurality of lower partition walls and the upper partition walls together define a plurality of degassing chambers to remove air contained in the coolant.

13. The heat pump system according to claim 12, wherein: Degassing holes are formed in the plurality of lower partition walls.

14. The heat pump system according to claim 13, wherein: The degassing holes are positioned to maximize the flow distance of the coolant.

15. The heat pump system according to claim 10, further comprising: a first bypass line branching from the coolant line; and a second bypass line branching from the coolant line on a downstream side of the first bypass line; wherein the coolant inlet of the adapter is fluidly connected to the first bypass line; The coolant outlet of the adapter is fluidly connected to the second bypass line.

16. The heat pump system according to claim 15, wherein: The liquid storage tank has a housing, and the housing includes: a lower housing having a plurality of lower partition walls; and an upper housing disposed above the lower housing and having an upper partition wall corresponding to the plurality of lower partition walls; The plurality of lower partition walls and the upper partition walls together define the plurality of degassing chambers.

17. The heat pump system according to claim 16, wherein: Degassing holes are formed in the plurality of lower partition walls.

18. The heat pump system according to claim 17, wherein: The degassing holes are positioned to maximize the flow distance of the coolant.

Images