Expansion tank

By setting a pressure relief outlet and an independent pressure relief channel at the bottom or lower part of the side wall of the expansion tank, the safety hazard of the top pressure relief design is solved, the safe discharge of high-temperature gas is achieved, the safety and adaptability of the system are improved, and the accident rate and maintenance costs are reduced.

CN120720109APending Publication Date: 2025-09-30LIUZHOU TONGSHUN AUTO PARTS
View PDF 1 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
CN202511070185.8
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-07-31
Publication Date
2025-09-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The top pressure relief design of the existing expansion water tank poses a safety hazard of direct contact of high-temperature gas with operators and equipment, causing burns and thermal damage. The uncertainty of the top discharge direction may also lead to local overheating of the equipment and aging of components.

Method used

An expansion water tank is designed, in which the pressure relief outlet is arranged at the bottom of the kettle body or the lower part of the side wall, and an independent pressure relief channel is adopted. The safety valve is configured to open when the pressure exceeds a predetermined value, and the high-temperature gas is discharged from the bottom or the lower part of the side wall and discharged through a vertical independent pressure relief channel to avoid direct contact with operators and equipment.

Benefits of technology

It effectively reduces the risk of burns to operators caused by high-temperature gas, prevents thermal damage to equipment, improves the safety and reliability of the system, adapts to different installation environments, and reduces the incidence of safety accidents and maintenance costs.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN120720109A_ABST
    Figure CN120720109A_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The invention discloses an expansion water tank which comprises a kettle body and a kettle cover. The upper part of the kettle body is provided with at least one mounting interface, and the outer side wall of the mounting interface is provided with an external thread; the kettle cover is provided with an internal thread matched with the external thread, the mounting interface is sealed through threaded connection, and a safety valve is arranged in the kettle cover; a pressure relief inlet is formed in the lower part of the inner side wall of the mounting interface and is communicated with the inner cavity of the kettle body; an independent pressure relief channel is arranged in the kettle body, the upper end of the independent pressure relief channel is communicated with the pressure relief inlet, and the lower end of the independent pressure relief channel extends to the bottom or the lower portion of the side wall of the kettle body to form a pressure relief outlet. The safety valve is configured to be opened when the pressure in the kettle body exceeds a first preset pressure, so that high-temperature gas in the kettle body is discharged from the pressure relief inlet, the independent pressure relief channel and the pressure relief outlet in sequence; and closing when the pressure recovers to the first preset pressure.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of cooling systems, in particular to an expansion water tank. Background Art

[0002] As a key component in thermal management systems, the expansion tank's core function is to dynamically adjust coolant volume changes to maintain internal system pressure balance and stability, and to promptly discharge gases generated during circulation, thereby ensuring efficient operation of the entire system. In automotive thermal management systems, when the engine is operating, the coolant expands due to rising temperatures. The expansion tank accommodates this expanded fluid, preventing excessive system pressure. When the engine stops and the temperature drops, the coolant contracts, and the expansion tank replenishes the system, preventing vacuum formation in the pipes and effectively minimizing the impact of air resistance on cycle efficiency. In energy storage thermal management systems, the large-scale application of energy storage devices such as lithium-ion batteries and flow batteries has led to increasingly stringent requirements for system temperature stability. The expansion tank not only needs to accommodate coolant volume fluctuations during charging and discharging, but also ensures a smooth heat dissipation circuit through its venting function, preventing localized overheating that could lead to performance degradation or shortened lifespan of the energy storage device. Furthermore, in industrial refrigeration, HVAC, and other fields, the expansion tank plays a crucial role in maintaining system pressure stability and preventing coolant overflow or shortages. It is a fundamental component for the safe and continuous operation of various heat exchange systems.

[0003] Expansion tanks typically utilize a top-mounted pressure relief valve, designed to safely release excess pressure when the tank is exposed to excessive pressure. This design stems from an early desire to simplify the system structure. The idea was that placing the pressure relief valve at the top would facilitate rapid discharge of naturally accumulated gas while also reducing the risk of direct coolant leakage.

[0004] For example, the structure disclosed in patent publication number CN118148764A features a sealing cap with a pressure relief valve above the expansion tank. When the internal pressure of the tank exceeds a set threshold, the gas pushes the pressure relief valve open and releases gas to the outside, thereby keeping the pressure within a safe range. However, this top-pressure relief method presents significant safety risks. Because the coolant circulating in the thermal management system is typically at a high temperature, the gas generated can reach temperatures of 80-120°C. When the gas is discharged from the top pressure relief port, it can easily come into direct contact with operators above or near the equipment, causing burns and other accidental injuries. Especially in automotive maintenance scenarios, if an operator comes into contact with the top pressure relief area immediately after the engine stops, the sudden burst of high-temperature gas can cause serious safety accidents. In large-scale equipment such as energy storage power stations, the high-temperature gas released from the top pressure relief port can also cause thermal damage to surrounding electrical components, affecting the overall safety and reliability of the equipment. Furthermore, due to the uncertainty of the gas discharge direction, the discharged hot gas can form a localized high-temperature area at the top of the equipment. Long-term use can accelerate the aging of surrounding components and reduce the system's service life.

[0005] The disclosure of the above background technology content is only used to assist in understanding the concept and technical solution of the present invention. It does not necessarily belong to the prior art of this patent application. In the absence of clear evidence that the above content has been disclosed on the filing date of this patent application, the above background technology should not be used to evaluate the novelty and creativity of this application. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to propose an expansion water tank to solve the technical problem in the above-mentioned prior art that when pressure is released from the top of the expansion water tank, the high-temperature gas coming out of the pressure relief port can easily come into direct contact with operators located above or around the equipment, causing accidental injuries such as burns.

[0007] To this end, the present invention proposes an expansion water tank.

[0008] Preferably, the present invention may also have the following technical features:

[0009] An expansion water tank comprises a kettle body and a kettle cover; at least one mounting interface is provided on the upper part of the kettle body, and an external thread is provided on the outer side wall of the mounting interface; the kettle cover is provided with an internal thread matching the external thread, and the mounting interface is sealed by a threaded connection, and a safety valve is provided in the kettle cover; a pressure relief inlet is provided on the lower part of the inner side wall of the mounting interface, and the pressure relief inlet is connected with the inner cavity of the kettle body; an independent pressure relief channel is provided in the kettle body, the upper end of the independent pressure relief channel is connected to the pressure relief inlet, and the lower end extends to the bottom of the kettle body or the lower part of the side wall to form a pressure relief outlet; the safety valve is configured to open when the pressure in the kettle body exceeds a first predetermined pressure, so that the high-temperature gas in the kettle body is discharged from the pressure relief inlet, through the independent pressure relief channel, and from the pressure relief outlet in sequence; and close when the pressure returns to the first predetermined pressure.

[0010] Preferably, the independent pressure relief channel is vertically arranged, and the bottom thereof protrudes from the bottom of the kettle body.

[0011] Preferably, it includes a first safety interface and a second safety interface arranged on the left and right, and a first chamber and a second chamber are independently arranged in the kettle body corresponding to the first safety interface and the second safety interface, and the temperatures of the liquids flowing in the first chamber and the second chamber are different.

[0012] Preferably, a first separation chamber is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0013] Preferably, a plurality of first through holes are provided at the bottom of the first partition chamber, so that the first partition chamber is directly connected to the atmosphere.

[0014] Preferably, a plurality of first dividing ribs are provided in the first chamber and the second chamber, a plurality of second dividing ribs are provided in the first dividing chamber corresponding to the first dividing ribs, and a plurality of hollows are provided on the first dividing ribs and the second dividing ribs.

[0015] Preferably, the first through hole is provided between two adjacent second dividing ribs.

[0016] Preferably, a first water outlet, a second water outlet and a third water outlet are provided on the outer side wall of the lower part of the kettle body. The first water outlet and the second water outlet are connected to the first chamber and are respectively provided on the rear and front sides of the kettle body. The first water outlet is connected to the battery cooling water circuit, and the second water outlet is connected to the motor cooling water circuit; the third water outlet is connected to the second chamber and is provided on the front side of the kettle body. The third water outlet is connected to the engine cooling water circuit.

[0017] Preferably, a first water return port, a second water return port and a third water return port are arranged on the outer side surface of the upper part of the kettle body and above the coolant level. The first water return port, the second water return port and the third water return port are arranged on the same side as the first water outlet, the second water outlet and the third water outlet, respectively, and are used for the return of water to the battery cooling water circuit, the motor cooling water circuit and the engine cooling water circuit, respectively.

[0018] Preferably, an "L"-shaped baffle is vertically arranged in the first chamber at positions corresponding to the first water return port and the second water return port, and the "L"-shaped baffle extends from the top to the bottom of the kettle body, so that the liquid returning to the first chamber from the first water return port and the second water return port can quickly return to the bottom of the kettle body along the "L"-shaped baffle.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present invention compared with the prior art include:

[0020] 1. The expansion water tank involved in the present invention has a pressure relief outlet located at the bottom of the kettle body or the lower part of the side wall, so that high-temperature gas can be discharged from a low position, avoiding direct contact with operators above or around the equipment, and reducing the risk of burns caused by high-temperature gas from the spatial path. It is particularly suitable for scenarios such as automobile repair and energy storage equipment maintenance that require frequent access to equipment, greatly reducing the incidence of safety accidents. The pressure relief outlet design at the bottom or lower part of the side wall can be flexibly adapted to different installation environments. The low-level pressure relief can avoid sensitive components such as electrical components and pipe interfaces on the upper part, preventing high-temperature gas from causing thermal damage to peripheral equipment. In addition, the arrangement of the independent pressure relief channel does not affect other functional interfaces such as rehydration and exhaust on the upper part of the kettle body, so that the expansion water tank has stronger installation compatibility and scenario adaptability while maintaining its core performance.

[0021] 2. The independent pressure relief channel of the present invention is vertically arranged, and its bottom protrudes from the bottom of the kettle body, so that the bottom of the pressure relief channel is physically separated from the bottom of the kettle body, effectively avoiding the problem of water droplets hanging due to surface tension and adsorption force in the non-protruding structure.

[0022] 3. In the present invention, a first separation chamber is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber to prevent heat transfer between the first chamber and the second chamber from affecting the temperature stability of the liquid in each chamber. By forming an insulating buffer zone through physical isolation, the efficiency of heat conduction from the high-temperature chamber to the low-temperature chamber can be significantly reduced. The first separation chamber can also reduce energy loss caused by temperature cross-effects.

[0023] 4. The present invention features a plurality of first through-holes at the bottom of the first compartment, allowing direct communication between the compartment and the atmosphere. By establishing a communication channel with the atmosphere, these first through-holes balance the air pressure between the compartment and the outside world in real time, preventing this pressure differential from being transmitted to the compartment walls and causing additional stress. Compared to closed compartment designs, this structure reduces the pressure fluctuations experienced by the compartment walls, fundamentally eliminating the risk of explosion caused by repeated hot and cold cycles. This design is particularly suitable for the dynamic operating conditions of hybrid vehicles, which are subject to frequent starts and stops.

[0024] 5. The leaked coolant in this application will preferentially seep into the first partition chamber. Due to the drainage effect of the first through-hole, the seeped coolant can be quickly discharged from the bottom, forming a visually visible liquid mark or dripping phenomenon. This design breaks through the limitation of traditional closed chambers that require disassembly for leakage detection. During daily inspections or vehicle maintenance, operators can determine leakage faults by simply observing the liquid accumulation marks under the through-hole, greatly shortening the troubleshooting time and significantly reducing maintenance costs.

[0025] 6. The "L"-shaped baffle of the present application extends from the top to the bottom of the kettle body, so that the liquid returning to the first chamber from the first water return port and the second water return port can quickly return to the bottom of the kettle body along the "L"-shaped baffle, so that the liquid slides smoothly along the wall to the bottom, and its flow state changes from "free fall impact" to "laminar wall flow". The impact energy is dispersed into friction along the wall, which can reduce noise. This feature is especially important in scenarios such as hybrid vehicles that have strict requirements on cabin quietness. It can reduce the interference of the thermal management system on the acoustic environment inside the vehicle and improve driving comfort. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a first structural schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 It is a top view of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 Specific embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 Schematic diagram along BB.

[0029] Figure 4 It is a bottom view of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 Specific embodiment of the present invention Figure 4 Schematic diagram along SS section.

[0031] Figure 6 It is a front view of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 Specific embodiment of the present invention Figure 6 Schematic diagram along the section kk.

[0033] Figure 8 Specific embodiment of the present invention Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the section along GG.

[0034] Figure 9 Specific embodiment of the present invention Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the section along PP.

[0035] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1-kettle body; 101-installation interface; 1011-external thread; 102-pressure relief inlet; 103-independent pressure relief channel; 104-pressure relief outlet; 105-first safety interface; 106-second safety interface; 107-first chamber; 108-second chamber; 109-first partition chamber; 110-first through hole; 111-first partition rib; 112-second partition rib; 113-hollowing; 114-first water outlet; 115-second water outlet; 116-third water outlet; 117-first return water outlet; 118-second return water outlet; 119-third return water outlet; 120-"L"-shaped baffle; 121-upper kettle body; 122-lower kettle body; 2-kettle lid; 201-internal thread; 3-safety valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be emphasized that the following description is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention and its application.

[0037] Non-limiting and non-exclusive embodiments will be described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts unless otherwise specifically specified.

[0038] An expansion tank, such as Figures 1 to 9 As shown, it comprises a kettle body 1 and a kettle lid 2; the upper part of the kettle body 1 is provided with at least one mounting interface 101, and the outer side wall of the mounting interface 101 is provided with an external thread 1011; the kettle lid 2 is provided with an internal thread 201 matching the external thread 1011, and the mounting interface 101 is sealed by a threaded connection, and a safety valve 3 is provided in the kettle lid 2; the lower part of the inner side wall of the mounting interface 101 is provided with a pressure relief inlet 102, and the pressure relief inlet 102 is communicated with the inner cavity of the kettle body 1; An independent pressure relief channel 103 is provided in the kettle body 1, the upper end of the independent pressure relief channel 103 is connected to the pressure relief inlet 102, and the lower end extends to the bottom of the kettle body 1 or the lower part of the side wall to form a pressure relief outlet 104; the safety valve 3 is configured to open when the pressure in the kettle body 1 exceeds a first predetermined pressure, so that the high-temperature gas in the kettle body 1 is discharged from the pressure relief inlet 102, through the independent pressure relief channel 103, and from the pressure relief outlet 104 in sequence; and close when the pressure returns to the first predetermined pressure.

[0039] The above-mentioned expansion water tank arranges the pressure relief outlet 104 at the bottom of the kettle body 1 or the lower part of the side wall (this embodiment takes the arrangement at the bottom of the kettle body 1 as an example), so that the high-temperature gas can be discharged from a low position, avoiding direct contact with operators above or around the equipment, and reducing the risk of burns caused by high-temperature gas from the spatial path. It is particularly suitable for scenes such as car repair and energy storage equipment maintenance that require frequent access to equipment, greatly reducing the incidence of safety accidents. The design of the pressure relief outlet 104 at the bottom or lower part of the side wall can be flexibly adapted to different installation environments. The low-level pressure relief can avoid sensitive components such as electrical components and pipe interfaces on the upper part, preventing high-temperature gas from causing thermal damage to peripheral equipment. In addition, the arrangement of the independent pressure relief channel 103 does not affect other functional interfaces such as fluid replenishment and exhaust on the upper part of the kettle body 1, so that the expansion water tank has stronger installation compatibility and scenario adaptability while maintaining its core performance.

[0040] In some examples of this embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, the independent pressure relief channel 103 is vertically arranged, and its bottom protrudes from the bottom of the kettle body 1, so that the bottom of the independent pressure relief channel 103 is physically separated from the bottom of the kettle body 1, effectively avoiding the problem of water droplet retention caused by surface tension and adsorption force in the non-protruding structure. During the operation of the thermal management system, when the water vapor generated by the evaporation of the coolant condenses on the inner wall of the pressure relief channel to form water droplets, the protruding bottom structure can use gravity to make the water droplets drip naturally instead of adhering to the channel outlet. From the perspective of system maintenance, this structure can achieve natural water removal without the need for additional drainage holes, simplifying the structural complexity of the bottom of the kettle body 1; in order to solve the problem of water droplet retention, the non-protruding structure often needs to add a guide groove or a hydrophobic coating, which not only increases the manufacturing cost, but may also fail due to problems such as clogging of the guide groove and peeling of the coating. In comparison, the anti-water accumulation function achieved by the protruding design through the physical structure is more reliable and durable.

[0041] Specifically, the number of safety interfaces can be set according to actual usage. In this embodiment, the expansion tank for hybrid vehicles is used as an example, and two safety interfaces are set. Figure 1 and 3 As shown, it includes a first safety interface 105 and a second safety interface 106 arranged on the left and right. In the kettle body 1, a first chamber 107 and a second chamber 108 are independently arranged corresponding to the first safety interface 105 and the second safety interface 106. The liquid temperatures flowing in the first chamber 107 and the second chamber 108 are different. However, for the convenience of explanation, Figure 1Only one kettle lid is shown. Hybrid vehicles usually have different thermal management circuits such as the engine (high-temperature cooling requirements, such as 80-100°C) and the drive motor / battery (low-temperature cooling requirements, such as 25-45°C). The dual-chamber design can allow coolant of different temperatures to circulate independently through physical isolation, avoiding the heat transfer from the high-temperature chamber to the low-temperature chamber, reducing the battery performance degradation or engine thermal efficiency reduction caused by temperature cross-interference, and improving the energy utilization efficiency of the entire vehicle. The two independent chambers are integrated into the same kettle body 1, and the connection with different cooling circuits is achieved through the safety interfaces distributed on the left and right. Compared with the use of two independent expansion tanks, it can reduce the complexity of the pipeline layout and save installation space in the engine compartment. At the same time, the unified kettle body 1 structure is easy to adapt to and fix with the body bracket, reducing the difficulty of vehicle assembly, which meets the design requirements of hybrid vehicles for miniaturization and integration of components.

[0042] In some examples of this embodiment, Figure 7 As shown, a first partition chamber 109 is provided between the first chamber 107 and the second chamber 108 to prevent heat transfer between them, which could affect the temperature stability of the liquids in each chamber. Physical isolation creates a thermal buffer zone, significantly reducing the efficiency of heat transfer from the high-temperature chamber to the low-temperature chamber. The first partition chamber 109 reduces energy loss caused by temperature crosstalk. During a hybrid vehicle's cold start phase, the engine needs to quickly warm up to its optimal operating temperature (e.g., 90°C) to reduce fuel consumption, while the battery may need to remain cool to maintain discharge performance. If the two chambers were directly adjacent, the low-temperature chamber would absorb heat from the engine circuit, prolonging the engine warm-up time. Conversely, the heat from the high-temperature chamber would force the battery cooling system to activate frequently to maintain a low temperature, consuming additional energy (especially in winter conditions). The first partition chamber 109 prevents this ineffective heat exchange and reduces the operating frequency of the battery cooling system, thereby reducing overall vehicle energy consumption.

[0043] In some examples of this embodiment, Figures 4 to 9As shown, the bottom of the first compartment 109 is provided with a plurality of first through-holes 110, allowing the first compartment 109 to communicate directly with the atmosphere. When the first and second compartments 107, 108, experience dramatic thermal expansion and contraction due to operating temperature differences (e.g., when the engine starts, the high-temperature compartment instantly rises to 90°C, while the battery compartment maintains 30°C), a significant pressure difference forms within the two compartments. By establishing a connection to the atmosphere, the first through-holes 110 balance the pressure between the compartment and the outside world in real time, preventing this pressure difference from being transmitted to the compartment walls and causing additional stress. Compared to a closed compartment design, this structure reduces the pressure fluctuations experienced by the compartment walls, fundamentally eliminating the risk of explosion caused by repeated hot and cold cycles. This is particularly suitable for the dynamic operating conditions of hybrid vehicles, which experience frequent starts and stops. A visual leakage detection mechanism is constructed to improve fault response efficiency. When cracks appear in the cavity wall of the first chamber 107 or the second chamber 108 due to aging, vibration or impact of foreign objects, the leaked coolant will preferentially seep into the first partition chamber 109. Due to the drainage effect of the first through hole 110, the seeped coolant can be quickly discharged from the bottom, forming a visually visible liquid mark or dripping phenomenon. This design breaks through the limitation of traditional closed chambers that require disassembly for leakage detection. During daily inspections or vehicle maintenance, operators can determine leakage faults only by observing the traces of accumulated liquid under the through hole, greatly shortening the troubleshooting time and significantly reducing maintenance costs.

[0044] Specifically, in order to facilitate molding and enhance the strength of the interior of the chamber, as Figures 5 to 9 As shown, a plurality of first dividing ribs 111 can be provided in the first chamber 107 and the second chamber 108, a plurality of second dividing ribs 112 can be provided in the first dividing chamber 109 corresponding to the first dividing ribs 111, and a plurality of hollows 113 can be provided on the first and second dividing ribs 111, 112. The first dividing ribs 111 form a grid-like support structure within the first and second chambers, which can effectively enhance the deformation resistance of the chamber walls and resist the pressure shock during coolant circulation and the stress generated by alternating hot and cold temperatures. The corresponding second dividing ribs 112 enhance the overall rigidity of the first dividing chamber 109 and prevent the dividing chamber from warping due to deformation caused by the temperature difference between the two chambers. The hollow 113 structure accurately balances structural strength and fluid flow. The hollows 113 on the first dividing ribs 111 ensure that the coolant in the first and second chambers 107, 108 can flow freely.

[0045] Specifically, if Figures 5 to 9As shown, the first through hole 110 is arranged between two adjacent second dividing ribs 112, and the positions of the first through hole 110 and the second dividing rib 112 match (through holes are arranged between adjacent ribs), thereby realizing precise positioning of the leakage position. Since the first dividing rib 111 and the second dividing rib 112 are correspondingly distributed, each rib spacing area corresponds to a specific local area of ​​the first chamber 107 or the second chamber 108. When the cavity wall of a certain area is damaged, the leaked coolant will be guided by the ribs to flow into the corresponding separating chamber spacing area and discharged from the first through hole 110 in the area. This design improves the leakage positioning accuracy from "whole chamber" to "single grid area", shortens the troubleshooting time, and significantly improves maintenance efficiency.

[0046] Specifically, if Figures 5 to 9 As shown, a first water outlet 114, a second water outlet 115 and a third water outlet 116 are provided on the lower outer wall of the kettle body 1. The first water outlet 114 and the second water outlet 115 are connected to the first chamber 107 and are respectively provided on the rear and front sides of the kettle body 1. The first water outlet 114 is connected to the battery cooling water circuit, and the second water outlet 115 is connected to the motor cooling water circuit. The coolant temperature of the battery cooling water circuit and the motor cooling water circuit is between 25°C and 45°C; the third water outlet 116 is connected to the second chamber 108 and is provided on the front side of the kettle body 1. The third water outlet 116 is connected to the engine cooling water circuit, and the coolant temperature of the engine cooling water circuit is between 80°C and 100°C. Specifically, as Figures 5 to 9 As shown, a first water return port 117, a second water return port 118 and a third water return port 119 are provided on the upper outer side surface of the kettle body 1 and above the coolant level. The first water return port 117, the second water return port 118 and the third water return port 119 are provided on the same side as the first water outlet 114, the second water outlet 115 and the third water outlet 116, respectively, and are used for returning water to the battery cooling water circuit, the motor cooling water circuit and the engine cooling water circuit, respectively.

[0047] Specifically, if Figures 5 to 9As shown, an "L"-shaped baffle 120 is vertically arranged in the first chamber 107 at the position corresponding to the first return water port 117 and the second return water port 118. The "L"-shaped baffle 120 extends from the top to the bottom of the kettle body 1, so that the liquid returning to the first chamber 107 from the first return water port 117 and the second return water port 118 can quickly return to the bottom of the kettle body 1 along the "L"-shaped baffle 120. When the coolant flows into the chamber from the return port, if there is no guiding structure, under conditions of low liquid level (such as when the system has just started or after coolant loss), the liquid will fall freely from the height of the return port, forming a violent impact with the liquid surface. This impact will cause liquid surface turbulence, bubble bursting and chamber wall resonance, generating 60-70dB high-frequency noise (similar to the "splashing" sound of water hitting a container). The "L"-shaped baffle 120 guides the coolant to the flow channel close to the chamber wall through the vertically extending plate surface, allowing the liquid to slide smoothly along the wall to the bottom. Its flow state changes from "free fall impact" to "laminar wall flow", and the impact energy is dispersed as friction along the wall, which can reduce noise. This feature is particularly important in scenarios such as hybrid vehicles that have strict requirements on cabin quietness. It can reduce the interference of the thermal management system on the acoustic environment inside the vehicle and improve driving comfort. When coolant drops from a high drop and impacts the liquid surface, turbulence entrains a large amount of air, forming bubbles. The "L"-shaped baffle 120 guides the liquid to flow at low speed along the wall, allowing the coolant to smoothly converge into the bottom liquid surface in a "film-like flow" form, thus avoiding the bubble entrainment caused by turbulence. In traditional baffle-free designs, high-speed return coolant directly impacts the bottom of the chamber from a high altitude. Over time, this can cause fatigue wear and even cracks on the bottom wall due to repeated impact. The "L"-shaped baffle 120" transforms the "point impact" of the liquid flow into "surface diversion," dispersing the impact force along the baffle and chamber wall, significantly reducing local stress concentration. Combined with the baffle's inherent reinforcement, this extends the fatigue life of the chamber bottom, making it particularly suitable for scenarios where frequent starting and stopping of hybrid vehicles results in large fluctuations in return conditions. When the coolant level in the kettle body 1 is low (such as when the system has just been started or there is a slight leak), the return liquid in the baffle-free design needs to fall from the height of the return port. Some liquid may adhere to the upper inner wall of the chamber due to splashing and cannot flow into the bottom in time to participate in the circulation, resulting in delayed system rehydration. The "L"-shaped baffle 120 uses a diversion path close to the wall to allow the return liquid to flow directly downward along the plate surface. Even in the low liquid level state, it can ensure that the return liquid volume reaches the bottom quickly, ensuring the response efficiency of the cooling system when rapid rehydration is required, and avoiding the risk of local overheating caused by delayed rehydration. The "L"-shaped baffle 120 can be designed as an integral part of the chamber wall, without the need for additional assembly parts. Compared with the installation of complex noise reduction structures such as guide pipes, this solution does not occupy the effective volume inside the chamber, especially in the compact space of the hybrid vehicle engine compartment, and is compatible with the layout of existing return ports, sensors and other components. In order to facilitate production, such as Figures 1 to 9As shown, the kettle body 1 is usually divided into an upper kettle body 121 and a lower kettle body 122, and the upper kettle body 121 and the lower kettle body 122 are welded by a welding process, and the components inside the kettle body 1 are also welded together.

[0048] Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous variations to the foregoing description are possible, and that the examples and figures are intended only to describe one or more specific implementations.

[0049] Although what is considered to be exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been described and illustrated, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of the present invention without departing from the central concept of the invention described herein. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but rather encompasses all embodiments and their equivalents falling within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An expansion water tank, characterized in that: The kettle body comprises a kettle body and a kettle lid; at least one mounting interface is provided on the upper part of the kettle body, and an external thread is provided on the outer side wall of the mounting interface; the kettle lid is provided with an internal thread matching the external thread, and the mounting interface is sealed by a threaded connection, and a safety valve is provided in the kettle lid; a pressure relief inlet is provided on the lower part of the inner side wall of the mounting interface, and the pressure relief inlet is communicated with the inner cavity of the kettle body; an independent pressure relief channel is provided in the kettle body, the upper end of the independent pressure relief channel is communicated with the pressure relief inlet, and the lower end extends to the bottom of the kettle body or the lower part of the side wall to form a pressure relief outlet; the safety valve is configured to open when the pressure in the kettle body exceeds a first predetermined pressure, so that the high-temperature gas in the kettle body is discharged from the pressure relief inlet, through the independent pressure relief channel, and out of the pressure relief outlet in sequence; Closes when the pressure returns to the first predetermined pressure.

2. The expansion water tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The independent pressure relief channel is vertically arranged, and the bottom thereof protrudes from the bottom of the kettle body.

3. The expansion water tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: It includes a first safety interface and a second safety interface set on the left and right. A first chamber and a second chamber are independently set in the kettle body corresponding to the first safety interface and the second safety interface, and the temperatures of the liquids flowing in the first chamber and the second chamber are different.

4. The expansion water tank according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first separation chamber is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber.

5. The expansion water tank according to claim 4, characterized in that: A plurality of first through holes are provided at the bottom of the first partition chamber, so that the first partition chamber is directly connected to the atmosphere.

6. The expansion water tank according to claim 5, characterized in that: A plurality of first dividing ribs are provided in the first chamber and the second chamber, a plurality of second dividing ribs are provided in the first dividing chamber corresponding to the first dividing ribs, and a plurality of hollows are provided on the first dividing ribs and the second dividing ribs.

7. The expansion water tank according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first through hole is arranged between two adjacent second dividing ribs.

8. The expansion water tank according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first water outlet, a second water outlet and a third water outlet are provided on the outer side wall of the lower part of the kettle body. The first water outlet and the second water outlet are connected to the first chamber and are respectively provided on the rear and front sides of the kettle body. The first water outlet is connected to the battery cooling water circuit, and the second water outlet is connected to the motor cooling water circuit; the third water outlet is connected to the second chamber and is provided on the front side of the kettle body. The third water outlet is connected to the engine cooling water circuit.

9. The expansion water tank according to claim 8, characterized in that: A first water return port, a second water return port and a third water return port are arranged on the outer side surface of the upper part of the kettle body and above the coolant level. The first water return port, the second water return port and the third water return port are arranged on the same side as the first water outlet, the second water outlet and the third water outlet, respectively, and are used for returning water to the battery cooling water circuit, the motor cooling water circuit and the engine cooling water circuit, respectively.

10. The expansion water tank according to claim 9, characterized in that: An "L"-shaped baffle is vertically arranged in the first chamber at positions corresponding to the first water return port and the second water return port. The "L"-shaped baffle extends from the top to the bottom of the kettle body, so that the liquid returning to the first chamber from the first water return port and the second water return port can quickly return to the bottom of the kettle body along the "L"-shaped baffle.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Expansion tank

    CN118148764A