Liquid storage tank, vehicle braking system and vehicle

Abstract

This application relates to a liquid storage tank, a vehicle braking system, and a vehicle. The liquid storage tank has a tank body defining an inner cavity, within which a float conduit is provided, allowing a float to float buoyantly within the float conduit. The inner cavity includes a first chamber and a second chamber, with the bottom wall of the first chamber higher than the bottom wall of the second chamber. The first and second chambers are interconnected via the float conduit, allowing liquid injected into the first chamber to flow into the second chamber via the float conduit. This provides sufficient floating distance for the float and prevents drastic changes in the liquid level of the storage tank due to vehicle braking and / or driving on slopes and / or curves, thus preventing false alarms from the float alarm system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of vehicle braking systems, specifically to a reservoir, a vehicle braking system, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The vehicle braking system is a core system in a vehicle designed to ensure driving safety, providing sufficient braking force when braking is required. In hydraulic braking systems, brake fluid is typically used to generate and maintain this braking force. The required braking force is generated by supplying brake fluid to the master cylinder, which then distributes it to the corresponding brake circuits. Brake fluid is usually stored in a reservoir.

[0003] To ensure the proper functioning of the hydraulic braking system, the brake fluid level in the reservoir must be maintained at the correct level. Specifically, the brake fluid level must be between the maximum and minimum level markings. In particular, an alarm should be triggered when the brake fluid level falls below the minimum level marking to notify the driver to top up the reservoir. For this purpose, a float alarm system is typically installed in the reservoir to monitor the brake fluid level. However, due to limited installation space within the vehicle and to maximize space utilization, the reservoir is often constructed with an irregular shape. This can result in insufficient floating distance within the reservoir's interior for the float to move freely. Furthermore, during vehicle braking and / or driving on inclines and / or curves, the sloshing of the brake fluid can cause short-term, rapid changes in the localized level within the reservoir, leading to false alarms from the float alarm system. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to solve or at least alleviate some of the problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] A first aspect of this application is to provide a liquid storage tank having a tank body defining an inner cavity, in which a float conduit is provided, the float being buoyantly disposed. Here, the inner cavity includes a first chamber and a second chamber, the bottom wall of the first chamber being higher than the bottom wall of the second chamber, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are in communication with each other via the float conduit, such that liquid injected into the first chamber can flow into the second chamber via the float conduit.

[0006] Therefore, the float conduit is not arranged in either the first or second chamber. Due to the limited height of a single chamber, if the float conduit were placed in either the first or second chamber, neither chamber might provide sufficient floating distance for the float. By arranging the float conduit between the first and second chambers and fluidly connecting them, the height of both chambers can be fully utilized to collectively provide sufficient floating distance for the float.

[0007] Optionally, the tank has a maximum liquid level mark and a minimum liquid level mark, wherein the float guide extends upward at least beyond the maximum liquid level mark and downward at least beyond the minimum liquid level mark until it reaches near the bottom wall of the second chamber, wherein the upper end of the float guide has an opening into the first chamber and the lower end of the float guide has an opening into the second chamber.

[0008] By extending the float conduit downwards beyond the lowest liquid level mark to at least near the bottom wall of the second chamber, the liquid entering the float conduit flows into the second chamber only near the bottom wall of the second chamber. This reduces the risk of air bubbles generated during liquid filling reaching the second chamber, as the bubbles will rise in the float conduit under buoyancy and exit through the opening at the upper end of the float conduit.

[0009] Optionally, the first chamber and the second chamber are additionally connected to each other via a venting conduit, wherein the venting conduit extends upward at least to near the top wall of the first chamber and has a first vent near the top wall of the first chamber for access to the first chamber, and the lower end of the venting conduit has an opening for access to the second chamber, wherein the opening at the lower end of the venting conduit is higher than the opening at the lower end of the float conduit.

[0010] By providing the venting conduit, during liquid filling, air in the second chamber can be discharged into the first chamber via the first vent of the venting conduit. Because the venting conduit extends upwards sufficiently, it substantially prevents liquid from the first chamber from entering the second chamber via the venting conduit during liquid filling and / or liquid from the second chamber from splashing into the first chamber via the venting conduit during vehicle braking and / or driving on slopes and / or curves. Since the opening at the lower end of the venting conduit is higher than the opening at the lower end of the float conduit, air bubbles generated in the second chamber, for example due to liquid sloshing, are substantially not discharged into the first chamber via the float conduit, but rather through the venting conduit. This prevents air bubbles from impacting the float and affecting the float alarm system's monitoring of the liquid level in the reservoir.

[0011] Optionally, the opening at the lower end of the venting conduit enters the second chamber at the highest point of the top wall of the second chamber. This allows air bubbles generated in the second chamber, for example due to liquid sloshing, to converge toward the opening at the lower end of the venting conduit and be discharged into the first chamber via the venting conduit, thereby preventing air from the second chamber from entering the braking circuit.

[0012] Optionally, the float conduit has an inlet at the lowest point of the bottom wall of the first chamber, such that liquid injected into the first chamber can flow into the second chamber through the inlet.

[0013] Optionally, the top wall of the tank has a liquid injection port leading into the first chamber, the liquid injection port being located at the highest point of the bottom wall of the first chamber, wherein the inlet is located on the side of the float guide tube opposite to the liquid injection port.

[0014] By positioning the injection port above the highest point of the bottom wall of the first chamber, the liquid entering the first chamber can quickly flow towards the lower position. Simultaneously, since the distance between the highest point and the injection port is the shortest, it also reduces liquid splashing caused by the injected liquid impacting the bottom wall of the first chamber. By positioning the inlet on the side of the float conduit opposite to the injection port, it is largely possible to prevent liquid in the second chamber from splashing out through the inlet of the float conduit during vehicle braking, thereby avoiding sudden changes in the liquid level in the float conduit that could cause false alarms in the float alarm system.

[0015] Optionally, the first chamber and / or the second chamber have a plurality of partitions arranged in a labyrinthine manner, the partitions extending from the bottom wall of the first chamber and / or the second chamber to the top wall of the first chamber and / or the second chamber and dividing the first chamber and / or the second chamber into a plurality of compartments, wherein flow paths are formed between the partitions and / or between the partitions and the inner wall of the tank, such that liquid entering the first chamber and / or the second chamber can flow from a higher position on the bottom wall of the first chamber and / or the second chamber to a lower position on the bottom wall of the first chamber and / or the second chamber and fill the respective compartments of the first chamber and / or the second chamber.

[0016] By installing partitions in the first chamber and / or the second chamber to divide the first chamber and / or the second chamber into several compartments, the rapid changes in the liquid level in the storage tank caused by the sloshing of liquid in the storage tank during vehicle braking and / or driving on slopes and / or curves are greatly reduced, thereby further avoiding false alarms from the float alarm system.

[0017] Optionally, the float conduit is surrounded by the baffle, wherein the baffle surrounding the float conduit has a second vent near the top wall of the first chamber and a flow port near the bottom wall of the first chamber leading to the float conduit. Thus, the baffle substantially prevents liquid in the second chamber from splashing out through the float conduit during vehicle braking and / or driving on slopes and / or curves, thereby preventing abrupt changes in the liquid level within the float conduit and further avoiding false alarms from the float alarm system.

[0018] A second aspect of this application is to provide a vehicle braking system, the vehicle braking system including a brake master cylinder and the aforementioned reservoir, wherein brake fluid is stored in the reservoir for supplying brake fluid to the brake master cylinder.

[0019] A third aspect of this application is to provide a vehicle having the aforementioned vehicle braking system. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that these drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. The accompanying drawings show:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a liquid storage tank according to one embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the layout of the liquid storage tank in the vehicle environment;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of a liquid storage tank in a vehicle environment according to one embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a partially cut-away perspective view of a liquid storage tank according to one embodiment of this application; and

[0025] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a liquid storage tank according to one embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Figure 1 A perspective view of a liquid storage tank 10 according to one embodiment of this application is shown. The liquid storage tank 10 has a tank body 20 that defines an inner cavity 21 (in...). Figure 1 (Not visible in the middle). From Figure 1 As can be seen, the top wall of the tank 20 is provided with an injection port 11 leading into the inner cavity 21, through which liquid can be injected into the inner cavity 21 of the tank 20. Furthermore, it can be seen that the side wall of the tank 20 is provided with a maximum liquid level mark 13 and a minimum liquid level mark 14. When the reservoir 10 is used as a brake fluid reservoir in a vehicle braking system, in order to ensure that the vehicle braking system can operate reliably and generate sufficient braking force, the liquid level 24 (i.e., brake fluid) injected into the inner cavity 21 of the tank 20 should generally not be lower than the minimum liquid level mark 14, and preferably not higher than the maximum liquid level mark 13. Furthermore, it can be seen that multiple reinforcing ribs 12 are provided on the outer surface of the tank 20 to increase the structural strength of the tank 20.

[0027] Figure 2 The arrangement of the liquid storage tank 10 in a vehicle environment 40 is schematically shown. The liquid storage tank 10 has a tank body 20 defining an inner cavity 21 filled with liquid 24. Furthermore, a float conduit 25 is disposed within the inner cavity 21, and a float 26 is buoyantly disposed within the float conduit 25. Figure 2 As can be seen, due to the limited installation space within the vehicle environment 40, and in order to make full use of the installation space within the vehicle environment 40, the liquid storage tank 10 is constructed with an irregular, irregular shape. Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the inner cavity 21 defined by the tank 20 includes multiple chambers: a higher chamber with an injection port 11, a lower chamber with an outlet 15 extending into the vehicle environment 40, and a connecting chamber connecting these two chambers. However, the structural height is limited in both the chamber with the injection port 11 and the chamber with the outlet 15. Therefore, regardless of which chamber the float guide 25 is placed in, the floating distance D of the float 26 in the float guide 25 is very limited, making it impossible to effectively monitor the liquid level 24 in the inner cavity 21 of the storage tank 10.

[0028] Figure 3 The arrangement of a liquid storage tank 10 according to one embodiment of this application in a vehicle environment 40 is schematically shown. Figure 2 The storage tank 10 shown is similar. Figure 3 The liquid storage tank 10 shown also has a tank body 20, which defines an inner cavity 21. A float conduit 25 is provided within the inner cavity 21, and a float 26 is buoyantly disposed within the float conduit 25. To accommodate the limited installation space within the vehicle environment 40 and to fully utilize that space, the inner cavity 21 includes a first chamber 22 and a second chamber 23. The bottom wall of the first chamber 22 is higher than the bottom wall of the second chamber 23, thereby allowing the portion of the tank body 20 defining the second chamber 23 to extend into a deeper part of the vehicle environment 40, while the portion of the tank body 20 defining the first chamber 22 is in an easily accessible position, facilitating the filling of the liquid storage tank 10 with liquid. Here, the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 23 are interconnected via the float conduit 25, allowing liquid 24 injected into the first chamber 22 to flow into the second chamber 23 via the float conduit 25. Therefore, with... Figure 2 Compared to the storage tank 10 shown, Figure 3 The float conduit 25 of the shown storage tank 10 is not arranged in the higher first chamber 22 or the lower second chamber 23, but rather between the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 23, and fluidly communicates the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 23 with each other via the float conduit 25. This fully utilizes the height of the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 23, allowing the float 26 to have a sufficient floating distance D within the float conduit 25.

[0029] Here, the float conduit 25 extends upward at least beyond the highest liquid level mark 13 (in Figure 1 (as shown in the image) and extends downwards beyond the lowest liquid level mark 14 (in... Figure 1(As shown in the diagram) at least until near the bottom wall of the second chamber 23. The float conduit 25 extends downwards at least until near the bottom wall of the second chamber 23, indicating that the float conduit 25 may terminate before reaching the bottom wall of the second chamber 23, thus creating a gap between the lower end of the float conduit 25 and the bottom wall of the second chamber 23. Figure 3 As shown. However, as an alternative embodiment, the float conduit 25 may also extend to the bottom wall of the second chamber 23, such that it contacts or is integral with the bottom wall of the second chamber 23. Here, the upper end of the float conduit 25 has an opening into the first chamber 22 and the lower end of the float conduit 25 has an opening into the second chamber 23.

[0030] By extending the float conduit 25 downwards beyond the lowest liquid level mark 14 at least to the vicinity of the bottom wall of the second chamber 23, the liquid 24 entering the float conduit 25 flows into the second chamber 23 only near the bottom wall of the second chamber 23. This reduces the risk of air bubbles generated during liquid filling reaching the second chamber 23, as the air bubbles will rise in the float conduit 25 under buoyancy and be discharged through the opening at the upper end of the float conduit 25.

[0031] In addition, from Figure 3 As can be seen, the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 23 are additionally connected to each other via a ventilation conduit 27, wherein the ventilation conduit 27 extends upward at least to the vicinity of the top wall of the first chamber 22. The statement that the ventilation conduit 27 extends upward at least to the vicinity of the top wall of the first chamber 22 indicates that the ventilation conduit 27 terminates before reaching the top wall of the first chamber 22, thereby creating a gap between the upper end of the ventilation conduit 27 and the top wall of the first chamber 22. Figure 3 As shown. At this time, the upper end of the ventilation conduit 27 is open, thus forming a first ventilation port leading into the first chamber 22. However, as an alternative embodiment, the ventilation conduit 27 may also extend to the top wall of the first chamber 22, such that it contacts or is integral with the top wall of the first chamber 22. In this case, the ventilation conduit 27 may have a first ventilation port leading into the first chamber 22 near the top wall of the first chamber 22. Furthermore, the lower end of the ventilation conduit 27 has an opening leading into the second chamber 23. From Figure 3 It can be clearly seen that the opening at the lower end of the ventilation conduit 27 is higher than the opening at the lower end of the float conduit 25.

[0032] By providing the vent duct 27, during liquid filling, air in the second chamber 23 can be discharged into the first chamber 22 via the first vent of the vent duct 27. Because the vent duct 27 extends upward sufficiently, it substantially prevents liquid 24 in the first chamber 22 from entering the second chamber 23 via the vent duct 27 during liquid filling and / or from splashing into the first chamber 22 via the vent duct 27 during vehicle braking and / or driving on slopes and / or curves. Since the opening at the lower end of the vent duct 27 is higher than the opening at the lower end of the float duct 25, air bubbles generated in the second chamber 23, for example due to liquid sloshing, are substantially discharged into the first chamber 22 via the vent duct 27, rather than via the float duct 25. This prevents air bubbles from impacting the float 26 and affecting the float alarm system's monitoring of the liquid level in the reservoir 10.

[0033] In some embodiments, the opening at the lower end of the vent duct 27 leads into the second chamber 23 at the highest point of the top wall of the second chamber 23. Thus, bubbles generated in the second chamber 23, for example due to liquid sloshing, can converge toward the opening at the lower end of the vent duct 27 and be discharged through the vent duct 27 into the first chamber 22, thereby preventing bubbles in the second chamber 23 from entering the braking circuit.

[0034] In some embodiments, the float conduit 25 has an inlet at the lowest point of the bottom wall of the first chamber 22, such that liquid 24 injected into the first chamber 22 can flow into the second chamber 23 through the inlet.

[0035] from Figure 3 As can be seen, the top wall of the tank 20 has a liquid injection port 11 that leads into the first chamber 22.

[0036] In some embodiments, the height of the bottom wall of the first chamber 22 is not uniform. In this case, it is advantageous for the injection port 11 to face the highest point of the bottom wall of the first chamber 22. By positioning the injection port 11 above the highest point of the bottom wall of the first chamber 22, the liquid 24 entering the first chamber 22 can flow rapidly towards the lower position. At the same time, since the distance between the highest position and the injection port 11 is the shortest, splashing of the liquid 24 caused by the injected liquid impacting the bottom wall of the first chamber 22 is also reduced.

[0037] In some embodiments, the inlet of the float conduit 25 is located on the side of the float conduit 25 opposite to the injection port 11. By placing the inlet on the side of the float conduit 25 opposite to the injection port 11, it is possible to largely prevent the liquid 24 in the second chamber 23 from splashing out through the inlet of the float conduit 25 during vehicle braking, thereby preventing sudden changes in the liquid level in the float conduit 25 from causing false alarms in the float alarm system.

[0038] Figure 4 A partially cut-away perspective view of a liquid storage tank 10 according to one embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 The top view of the storage tank 10 shown.

[0039] from Figure 4 and Figure 5 As can be clearly seen, the first chamber 22 has a plurality of partitions 28 arranged in a labyrinthine manner. In some embodiments, the partitions 28 extend from the bottom wall of the first chamber 22 to the top wall of the first chamber 22 and divide the first chamber 22 into a plurality of compartments, wherein flow paths are formed between the partitions 28 and / or between the partitions 28 and the inner wall of the tank body 20, such that the liquid 24 entering the first chamber 22 can flow from a higher position on the bottom wall of the first chamber 22 to a lower position on the bottom wall of the first chamber 22 and fill the respective compartments of the first chamber 22.

[0040] exist Figure 5 The flow paths formed between the partitions 28 and / or between the partitions 28 and the inner wall of the tank 20 are schematically shown by arrow lines. From Figure 5 As can be seen, when liquid 24 is injected into the first chamber 22 through the injection port 11, the liquid 24 can enter each compartment approximately along the direction of the arrow line, and enter the float conduit 25 at approximately the end of the flow path, and further enter the second chamber 23 via the float conduit 25. Here, the height of the bottom wall of the first chamber 22 decreases substantially gradually along the direction of the arrow line. However, it should be noted that the fact that the height of the bottom wall of the first chamber 22 decreases substantially gradually along the direction of the arrow line does not mean that the height of the bottom wall of the first chamber 22 decreases continuously, but rather that it can decrease in a stepwise manner. In any case, the height of the bottom wall downstream along the direction of the arrow line is at least no greater than the height of the bottom wall upstream along the direction of the arrow line, so that the liquid 24 injected into the first chamber 22 can first enter the second chamber 23 via the float conduit 25.

[0041] Despite Figure 4 and Figure 5 Not shown in the figure, but in some embodiments, the second chamber 23 may also have a plurality of partitions 28 arranged in a labyrinthine manner. In some embodiments, the partitions 28 extend from the bottom wall of the second chamber 23 to the top wall of the second chamber 23 and divide the second chamber 23 into a plurality of compartments, wherein flow paths are formed between the partitions 28 and / or between the partitions 28 and the inner wall of the tank body 20, such that the liquid 24 entering the second chamber 23 can flow from a higher position on the bottom wall of the second chamber 23 to a lower position on the bottom wall of the second chamber 23 and fill the respective compartments of the second chamber 23.

[0042] By providing partitions 28 in the first chamber 22 and / or the second chamber 23 to divide the first chamber 22 and / or the second chamber 23 into several compartments, the rapid change in the liquid level of the liquid tank 10 caused by the sloshing of the liquid 24 in the liquid tank 10 during vehicle braking and / or driving on slopes and / or curves is greatly reduced, thereby further avoiding false alarms from the float alarm system.

[0043] In addition, from Figure 4 and Figure 5 It can also be seen that, in some embodiments, the float conduit 25 may be surrounded by the partition 28, wherein the partition 28 surrounding the float conduit 25 has a second vent near the top wall of the first chamber 22 and a flow port near the bottom wall of the first chamber 22 leading to the float conduit 25. Thus, the partition 28 substantially prevents the liquid 24 in the second chamber 23 from splashing out through the float conduit 25 during vehicle braking and / or driving on slopes and / or curves, thereby preventing a rapid change in the liquid level within the float conduit 25 and further avoiding false alarms from the float alarm system.

[0044] In some embodiments, the reservoir 10 can be used in a vehicle braking system, the vehicle braking system further including a master cylinder, in which brake fluid is stored for supplying brake fluid to the master cylinder.

[0045] The above descriptions are merely exemplary embodiments of this application. The scope of protection of this application is not limited to the above embodiments, and all technical solutions falling within the concept of this application are within the scope of protection of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principles of this application should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A liquid storage tank (10) having a tank body (20) defining an inner cavity (21) in which a float guide tube (25) is provided, wherein a float (26) is buoyantly disposed in the float guide tube (25). Its features are, The inner cavity (21) includes a first chamber (22) and a second chamber (23), the bottom wall of the first chamber (22) being higher than the bottom wall of the second chamber (23), wherein the first chamber (22) and the second chamber (23) are connected to each other through the float conduit (25), so that the liquid (24) injected into the first chamber (22) can flow into the second chamber (23) through the float conduit (25).

2. The liquid storage tank (10) according to claim 1, Its features are, The tank (20) has a maximum liquid level mark (13) and a minimum liquid level mark (14). The float conduit (25) extends upward at least beyond the highest liquid level mark (13) and downward at least beyond the lowest liquid level mark (14) to the vicinity of the bottom wall of the second chamber (23). The upper end of the float conduit (25) has an opening into the first chamber (22) and the lower end of the float conduit (25) has an opening into the second chamber (23).

3. The liquid storage tank (10) according to claim 2, Its features are, The first chamber (22) and the second chamber (23) are additionally connected to each other by a venting conduit (27), wherein the venting conduit (27) extends upward at least to the vicinity of the top wall of the first chamber (22) and has a first vent near the top wall of the first chamber (22) for entering the first chamber (22), and the lower end of the venting conduit (27) has an opening for entering the second chamber (23), wherein the opening at the lower end of the venting conduit (27) is higher than the opening at the lower end of the float conduit (25).

4. The liquid storage tank (10) according to claim 3, Its features are, The opening at the lower end of the ventilation conduit (27) enters the second chamber (23) at the highest position of the top wall of the second chamber (23).

5. The liquid storage tank (10) according to claim 1, Its features are, The float conduit (25) has an inlet at the lowest position of the bottom wall of the first chamber (22), so that the liquid (24) injected into the first chamber (22) can flow into the second chamber (23) through the inlet.

6. The liquid storage tank (10) according to claim 5, Its features are, The top wall of the tank (20) has an injection port (11) leading into the first chamber (22), the injection port (11) is located at the highest position of the bottom wall of the first chamber (22), and the inlet is located on the side of the float guide tube (25) opposite to the injection port (11).

7. The liquid storage tank (10) according to claim 5, Its features are, The first chamber (22) and / or the second chamber (23) have a plurality of partitions (28) arranged in a labyrinthine manner, the partitions (28) extending from the bottom wall of the first chamber (22) and / or the second chamber (23) to the top wall of the first chamber (22) and / or the second chamber (23) and dividing the first chamber (22) and / or the second chamber (23) into a plurality of compartments, wherein flow paths are formed between the partitions (28) and / or between the partitions (28) and the inner wall of the tank (20), such that liquid (24) entering the first chamber (22) and / or the second chamber (23) can flow from a higher position on the bottom wall of the first chamber (22) and / or the second chamber (23) to a lower position on the bottom wall of the first chamber (22) and / or the second chamber (23) and fill the respective compartments of the first chamber (22) and / or the second chamber (23).

8. The liquid storage tank (10) according to claim 7, Its features are, The float conduit (25) is surrounded by the partition (28), wherein the partition (28) surrounding the float conduit (25) has a second vent near the top wall of the first chamber (22) and a flow port near the bottom wall of the first chamber (22) leading to the inlet of the float conduit (25).

9. A vehicle braking system, the vehicle braking system comprising a master cylinder, Its features are, The vehicle braking system further includes a reservoir (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which brake fluid is stored for supplying brake fluid to the master cylinder.

10. A type of vehicle, Its features are, The vehicle has the vehicle braking system according to claim 9.

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