An expansion tank and vehicle

Abstract

This utility model relates to an expansion tank, including a tank shell and a conductivity meter. A partition is provided inside the tank shell, dividing its inner cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. A connecting port is provided on the partition, linking the first and second chambers. The connecting port is positioned higher than the bottom of the first chamber. A filling port for adding coolant to the first chamber is provided on the tank shell. The conductivity meter is mounted on the tank shell and is used to detect the conductivity of the coolant in the first chamber. A drain outlet is provided at the bottom of the first chamber, and a fill outlet is provided at the bottom of the second chamber. This utility model also proposes a vehicle. This utility model can reduce the possibility of adding the wrong coolant, reduce the damage caused by adding the wrong coolant, and reduce the difficulty of cleaning the expansion tank after adding the wrong coolant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vehicle technology, specifically to an expansion tank and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Expansion tanks are common components of vehicle cooling systems, such as those in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, where they are an indispensable key component. The main function of an expansion tank is to contain and compensate for coolant expansion caused by temperature changes, ensuring the cooling system pressure remains within a safe range while preventing coolant overflow and air from entering the cooling system.

[0003] Existing expansion tanks have the following technical problems:

[0004] Existing expansion tanks have significant shortcomings in preventing users from accidentally adding coolant. This is particularly true in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, where the expansion tanks resemble those used in conventional gasoline vehicles and lithium-ion battery-powered new energy vehicles, potentially leading to the accidental addition of conventional coolant. Conventional coolant has extremely high conductivity; if mistakenly added, it can affect the vehicle's insulation, preventing the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle from starting.

[0005] When conventional coolant is mistakenly added to the expansion tank of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, causing contamination of the cooling system, cleaning the entire system requires significant time and expense, which is extremely troublesome. Existing expansion tanks also struggle to address the difficulty of cleaning after incorrect filling.

[0006] In existing technologies, to prevent the wrong coolant from being added, coolant color differentiation or labels on expansion tanks are generally used for indication. However, this cannot completely prevent user misoperation. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an expansion tank and vehicle to alleviate or eliminate at least one of the aforementioned technical problems.

[0008] The present invention discloses an expansion kettle, comprising a kettle shell and a conductivity meter. A partition is provided inside the kettle shell, dividing the inner cavity of the kettle shell into a first chamber and a second chamber. A connecting port is provided on the partition connecting the first chamber and the second chamber, and the connecting port is positioned higher than the bottom of the first chamber. A filling port for adding coolant to the first chamber is provided on the kettle shell. The conductivity meter is mounted on the kettle shell and is used to detect the conductivity of the coolant in the first chamber. A drain outlet is provided at the bottom of the first chamber, and a water inlet is provided at the bottom of the second chamber.

[0009] Optionally, a drain valve is installed at the drain outlet.

[0010] Optionally, the drain valve is a solenoid valve.

[0011] Optionally, the inlet end of the filling port is positioned to the side, or the inlet end of the filling port is positioned downward, or the inlet end of the filling port is positioned diagonally downward.

[0012] Optionally, a label is provided on the top of the kettle casing.

[0013] Optionally, the second chamber is provided with multiple rings of baffles respectively disposed around the water inlet. The multiple rings of baffles are arranged at intervals from the inside to the outside. Each of the multiple rings of baffles is provided with a break for coolant to pass through, and the breaks of adjacent rings of baffles are staggered.

[0014] Optionally, the second chamber is provided with multiple guide plates, which increase the length of the coolant flow path between the connecting port and the water inlet.

[0015] Optionally, the kettle shell includes an upper shell and a lower shell fixedly connected together, the upper shell and the lower shell forming the inner cavity, and both the upper shell and the lower shell are transparent plastic parts.

[0016] Optionally, the upper part of the kettle shell is provided with a vent; a pressure cap is installed at the filling port.

[0017] This utility model also proposes a vehicle that includes the expansion tank described in any of the above claims.

[0018] This invention can reduce the possibility of adding the wrong coolant, reduce the harm caused by adding the wrong coolant, and reduce the difficulty of cleaning the expansion tank after adding the wrong coolant. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the expansion tank described in some embodiments;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the upper shell structure described in some embodiments;

[0021] Figure 3 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the lower shell described in some embodiments;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a second schematic diagram of the lower shell structure described in some embodiments;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a top view of the expansion kettle described in some embodiments;

[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 5 AA section view in the image.

[0025] In the diagram, 1—upper housing, 2—lower housing, 3—conductivity tester, 4—pressure cover, 5—drain valve, 6—label.

[0026] 101—Top wall, 102—First side wall, 103—First outer flange, 104—Filling port, 105—Ventilation port, 106—Mounting port, 107—Label adhesive part

[0027] 201—Bottom wall, 202—Second side wall, 203—Second outer flange, 204—Drain outlet, 205—Pipe joint, 206—Partition plate, 207—First chamber, 208—Second chamber, 209—Notch, 210—Guide plate, 211—Water inlet, 212—Baffle plate, 213—Break. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The embodiments of this utility model will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. This utility model can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this utility model. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments are only for illustrating this utility model and not for limiting the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0029] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. The illustrations only show the components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape and size of the components in the actual implementation. In the actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 6An expansion tank is shown, comprising a tank shell and a conductivity meter 3. A partition 206 is provided inside the tank shell, dividing the inner cavity of the tank shell into a first chamber 207 and a second chamber 208. A connecting port is provided on the partition 206, connecting the first chamber 207 and the second chamber 208. The connecting port is positioned higher than the bottom of the first chamber 207 and the bottom of the second chamber 208. A filling port 104 for adding coolant to the first chamber 207 is provided on the tank shell. The conductivity meter 3 is mounted on the tank shell and is used to detect the conductivity of the coolant in the first chamber 207. A drain port 204 is provided at the bottom of the first chamber 207, and a water inlet 211 is provided at the bottom of the second chamber 208.

[0031] By adopting the above technical solution, a first chamber 207 is formed. When adding coolant, the coolant is first added to the first chamber 207. The first chamber 207 can hold a portion of the coolant, allowing the conductivity tester 3 to detect whether the coolant is up to standard. When the coolant is found to be substandard, it can be drained from the expansion tank through the drain port 204, reducing the damage caused by adding the wrong coolant. The first chamber 207 prevents the wrong coolant from flowing directly into the second chamber 208. During flushing, only the first chamber 207 needs to be flushed, greatly shortening the cleaning time after adding the wrong coolant and reducing after-sales maintenance costs.

[0032] In some embodiments, a drain valve 5 is installed at the drain outlet 204. The drain valve 5 facilitates the drainage of coolant from the first chamber 207. The drain valve 5 can be installed at the bottom of the expansion tank using screws.

[0033] In some embodiments, the drain valve 5 is a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve can be controlled by the vehicle's controller and is easy to control. When used in conjunction with the conductivity tester 3, the solenoid valve can drain the wrong coolant more quickly when the wrong coolant is added.

[0034] In practice, the drain valve 5 and the conductivity tester 3 can be connected to the vehicle's fuel cell control unit via a wiring harness. The parameters detected by the conductivity tester 3 are transmitted to the fuel cell control unit, which can make decisions based on the parameters and output control signals to control the opening and closing of the drain valve 5 to discharge the incorrectly added coolant.

[0035] In some embodiments, the inlet end of the filling port 104 is positioned to the side, downwards, or diagonally downwards. The side, downward, or diagonally downward orientation of the filling port 104 is intended to make it inconvenient for the operator to operate. When the operator cannot directly add coolant, they are more likely to consult the label 6 on the expansion tank and use the special tools and special coolant under the guidance of the label, thus reducing the possibility of adding the wrong coolant.

[0036] In practice, a small water pump can be used as a special tool. Place the end of the water pump with the filter into the fuel cell coolant container, and insert the filling hose into the filling port 104 to add coolant. The recommended water pump flow rate is within 10L / min.

[0037] In some embodiments, a label 6 is provided on the top of the kettle housing. Placing the label 6 on the top of the kettle housing makes it easier for the operator to see the label 6.

[0038] In some embodiments, the second chamber 208 is provided with multiple rings of baffles 212 respectively disposed around the water inlet 211. The multiple rings of baffles 212 are arranged at intervals from the inside to the outside, and each ring of baffles 212 is provided with a break 213 for coolant to pass through. The breaks 213 of adjacent rings of baffles 212 are staggered. The function of the multiple rings of baffles 212 is to reduce coolant vibration and surge generated by coolant during vehicle operation, thereby reducing the inflow of air bubbles caused by vibration and surge into the cooling system.

[0039] In some embodiments, the second chamber 208 is provided with multiple guide vanes 210, which increase the length of the coolant flow path between the connecting port and the water inlet 211. Providing multiple guide vanes 210 helps reduce the generation of air bubbles in the coolant.

[0040] In some embodiments, the kettle housing includes an upper housing 1 and a lower housing 2 fixedly connected together, the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 forming an inner cavity, and both the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 are transparent plastic parts. The transparent kettle housing allows for easy observation of the coolant, and the transparent plastic parts are easy to implement.

[0041] In practice, the upper shell 1 and the lower shell 2 are assembled together by welding. The upper shell 1 is provided with a filling port 104, an exhaust port 105, a label pasting part 107 and an installation port 106. The filling port 104 and the pressure cap 4 are assembled and fitted together by a threaded structure. The conductivity tester 3 is installed on the kettle shell by threaded connection with the installation port 106. The position of the sensing probe of the conductivity tester 3 is lower than the communication port.

[0042] In practice, the kettle shell is equipped with a lower coolant level mark and an upper coolant level mark.

[0043] In practice, the partition 206, the guide plate 210 and the baffle 212 are all installed in the lower housing 2. The upper part of the partition 206 is provided with a notch 209, which forms a communication port.

[0044] As a specific example, the upper housing 1 includes a top wall 101, a first side wall 102 extending downward from the edge of the top wall 101, and a first outer flange 103 disposed at the lower end of the first side wall 102. The lower housing 2 includes a bottom wall 201, a second side wall 202 extending upward from the edge of the bottom wall 201, and a second outer flange 203 disposed at the upper end of the second side wall 202. The first outer flange 103 and the second outer flange 203 can ensure a stable connection between the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2.

[0045] In practice, both the drain outlet 204 and the water inlet 211 are located on the bottom wall 201. The water inlet 211 is used to output the coolant in the second chamber 208 to replenish the vehicle's cooling system. The water inlet 211 is usually also equipped with a pipe connector 205 for connecting pipes.

[0046] In some embodiments, a vent 105 is provided on the upper part of the kettle shell.

[0047] In some embodiments, a pressure cap 4 is installed at the filling port 104, and the filling port 104 and the pressure cap 4 are assembled and sealed together.

[0048] This invention also proposes a vehicle comprising the expansion tank described in any of the preceding claims. The aforementioned expansion tank is particularly suitable for fuel cell vehicles.

[0049] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments provided to fully illustrate the present utility model, and the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the present utility model are all within the protection scope of the present utility model. In the description of this specification, the reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic associated with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present utility model. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

Claims

1. An inflation water bottle characterized by, The device includes a kettle shell and a conductivity meter (3). A partition (206) is provided inside the kettle shell, which divides the inner cavity of the kettle shell into a first chamber (207) and a second chamber (208). A communication port connecting the first chamber (207) and the second chamber (208) is provided on the partition (206). The communication port is located higher than the bottom of the first chamber (207). A filling port (104) for adding coolant to the first chamber (207) is provided on the kettle shell. The conductivity meter (3) is installed on the kettle shell and is used to detect the conductivity of the coolant in the first chamber (207). A drain port (204) is provided at the bottom of the first chamber (207), and a water inlet (211) is provided at the bottom of the second chamber (208).

2. The expansion kettle according to claim 1, characterized in that, A drain valve (5) is installed at the drain outlet (204).

3. The expansion kettle according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drain valve (5) is a solenoid valve.

4. The expansion kettle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet end of the filling port (104) is arranged to the side, or the inlet end of the filling port (104) is arranged downward, or the inlet end of the filling port (104) is arranged diagonally downward.

5. The expansion kettle according to claim 1, characterized in that, A label (6) is provided on the top of the kettle shell.

6. The expansion kettle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second chamber (208) is provided with multiple rings of baffles (212) respectively located around the water inlet (211). The multiple rings of baffles (212) are arranged alternately from the inside to the outside. Each of the multiple rings of baffles (212) is provided with a break (213) for coolant to pass through. The breaks (213) of two adjacent rings of baffles (212) are staggered.

7. The expansion kettle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second chamber (208) is provided with multiple guide plates (210), which increase the length of the coolant flow path between the connecting port and the water inlet (211).

8. The expansion kettle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The kettle shell includes an upper shell (1) and a lower shell (2) fixedly connected together. The upper shell (1) and the lower shell (2) form the inner cavity. Both the upper shell (1) and the lower shell (2) are transparent plastic parts.

9. The expansion kettle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper part of the kettle shell is provided with an exhaust port (105); a pressure cap (4) is installed at the filling port (104).

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the expansion kettle according to any one of claims 1-9.

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