A conformable expansion tank

Abstract

The application discloses a conformal expansion water tank which is combined by an upper shell and a lower shell, the upper shell is provided with a filling opening and an inclined exhaust pipe, the bottom of the lower shell is provided with an inclined liquid outlet and a fixed keel, water vapor is separated and liquid circulation paths are optimized through a flow channel rib plate designed in conformity with the shape, and a tank concave rib is arranged outside the flow channel rib plate. The conformal structure is adapted to complex installation space, the inclined interface reduces pipeline resistance and stress concentration, the flow channel rib plate improves the stability of the cooling liquid circulation, and the tank concave rib enhances the compression resistance of the shell. The application has compact structure, high space utilization rate and can be widely applied to cooling systems of automobiles, engineering machinery and the like, and effectively prolongs the service life of equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of cooling technology, and specifically relates to a conformal expansion tank. Background Technology

[0002] The expansion tank is a core functional component of the cooling system. Its main functions include accommodating the volume increase of the coolant after thermal expansion, balancing system pressure, and removing free gases from the coolant through an venting mechanism to ensure stable cooling medium circulation. Its performance directly affects the heat dissipation efficiency and operational reliability of core components such as engines and motors. It is widely used in automobiles, construction machinery, generator sets, and industrial refrigeration equipment. With the development of modern equipment towards lightweight, integrated, and compact designs, higher demands are placed on the expansion tank's spatial adaptability, structural reliability, and functional integration.

[0003] Currently, most expansion tanks on the market adopt an integral square structure design with a regular shell shape (such as a cuboid or cylinder). This requires dedicated space for the expansion tank in the overall vehicle layout. At the same time, the internal flow channels are mostly single cavities, and the external interfaces (fill port, vent port, liquid outlet, etc.) are rigidly arranged in the horizontal or vertical direction, which can lead to the possibility of breakage at the root of the joint when connecting pipes. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a conformal expansion tank to solve the problems of low space utilization, inflexible structural layout, and poor pipeline connection reliability of existing expansion tanks.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a conformal expansion tank, which is composed of an upper shell and a lower shell connected together. The upper shell has a filling port through its shell wall, and an exhaust pipe is inclinedly arranged on the side of the upper shell away from the filling port. The lower shell has a liquid outlet inclinedly arranged through its bottom, and a fixing keel is provided at the bottom of the lower shell. Flow channel ribs are provided inside the upper and lower shells, which are used to achieve water vapor separation and form a liquid flow path. Tank body recesses are provided on the exterior of the upper and lower shells corresponding to the positions of the flow channel ribs.

[0006] In one embodiment, the filling port is provided with a threaded opening, and the threaded opening is connected to a filling cap via a thread.

[0007] In one embodiment, the welding flanges of the upper and lower shells are provided with corresponding fixing through holes.

[0008] In one embodiment, the exhaust pipe is inclined on the upper housing in the direction of pipe connection, and its inclination angle is consistent with the direction of pipe connection.

[0009] In one embodiment, the liquid outlet is inclined at the bottom of the lower housing in the direction of the pipeline connection, and the inclination angle is consistent with the direction of the pipeline connection.

[0010] In one embodiment, the flow channel rib is designed to conform to the inner wall profile of the upper and lower shells.

[0011] In one embodiment, the upper and lower housings are sealed together by hot plate welding.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are:

[0013] 1. Adaptive design optimizes space adaptability and enhances installation flexibility: Through the adaptive design of the flow channel stiffeners relative to the inner wall shape of the shell, as well as the combined structure of the upper and lower shells, it can fully adapt to the spare space in complex installation environments, reduce the space occupation of equipment layout, and improve the overall system space utilization and installation adaptability.

[0014] 2. High-efficiency water vapor separation ensures coolant circulation stability: The flow channel ribs set inside the shell can effectively separate the liquid flow path, realize high-efficiency water vapor separation during coolant circulation, avoid residual air bubbles affecting the heat exchange efficiency of the cooling system, ensure the purity and circulation stability of the coolant, and improve the operational reliability of the cooling system.

[0015] 3. Inclined interface design reduces resistance and stress concentration: Both the exhaust pipe and the liquid outlet are inclined in the direction of the pipeline connection, and the inclination angle is consistent with the pipeline direction. This not only reduces the flow resistance caused by pipeline bends and improves the efficiency of liquid / gas flow, but also avoids stress concentration at the root of the interface caused by improper connection, thus extending the service life of the water tank and pipeline. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the conformal expansion tank provided in this application;

[0018] Figure 2 A top view of the upper shell of the conformal expansion tank provided in this application;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a front view schematic diagram of the upper shell of the conformal expansion tank provided in this application;

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the interior of the upper shell of the conformal expansion tank provided in this application;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a front view schematic diagram of the lower shell of the conformal expansion tank provided in this application;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of the lower shell of the conformal expansion tank provided in this application.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Upper shell; 2. Lower shell; 3. Filling cap; 4. Recessed rib of the box; 5. Exhaust pipe; 6. Threaded opening; 7. Flow channel rib; 8. Fixing keel; 9. Liquid outlet; 10. Fixing through hole. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application are described clearly and completely below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are also within the scope of protection of this application.

[0025] See Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the conformal expansion tank provided in this application is composed of an upper shell 1 and a lower shell 2 connected together. It includes a filling port provided through the shell wall of the upper shell 1, an exhaust pipe 5 inclinedly provided on the side of the upper shell 1 away from the filling port, a liquid outlet 9 inclinedly provided through the bottom of the lower shell 2, a fixing keel 8 provided at the bottom of the lower shell 2, and flow channel ribs 7 provided inside the upper shell 1 and the lower shell 2. The flow channel ribs 7 are used to realize water vapor separation and form a liquid flow path. The upper shell 1 and the lower shell 2 have tank body concave ribs 4 on the outside corresponding to the position of the flow channel ribs 7.

[0026] Coolant is injected into the water tank cavity formed by the combination of the upper shell 1 and the lower shell 2 through the filling port, and the coolant circulates between the filling port and the outlet. During the circulation process, the coolant flows through the liquid flow channels formed by the flow channel ribs 7, which effectively separates water vapor and ensures the stability and purity of the coolant during the circulation process.

[0027] Recessed ribs 4 are provided at the positions corresponding to the flow channel ribs 7 on the upper shell 1 and lower shell 2. This not only improves the compressive strength of the shell but also effectively reduces shrinkage marks on the outer surface of the shell caused by the forming of the flow channel ribs, thereby improving the overall aesthetics and sealing reliability. In addition, pipe fixing holes 10 are provided at the flanges of the upper shell 1 and lower shell 2, avoiding the need to set separate pipe fixing points on the surface of the shell, simplifying the assembly process and improving the structural integration.

[0028] Optionally, the filling port is provided with a threaded port 6, and the threaded port 6 is threadedly connected to the filling cap 3. This connection between the threaded port 6 and the filling cap 3 not only enhances the sealing performance at the filling port but also improves operational convenience, ensuring smooth opening and closing without leakage risk when adding coolant. Furthermore, a sealing ring can be installed at the mating point between the filling cap 3 and the threaded port 6 to further ensure the overall sealing of the water tank, preventing coolant leakage and the entry of external impurities into the system.

[0029] Optionally, the welded flanges of the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 are provided with corresponding fixing through holes 10. By using cable ties to bind the pipes through the fixing through holes 10, the pipe positions are effectively fixed, and the need for additional fixing holes in other parts of the housing is avoided, thus simplifying the overall design and improving assembly efficiency and structural reliability. Meanwhile, the fixing keel 8 at the bottom of the lower housing 2 enables direct clamping and fixing of the pipes, further enhancing the stability and reliability of the pipe connections.

[0030] Optionally, the exhaust pipe 5 is inclined on the upper housing 1 corresponding to the pipe connection direction, and its inclination angle is consistent with the pipe connection direction. This design makes the connection between the exhaust pipe 5 and the external pipe smoother, reduces the flow resistance caused by pipe bends, and effectively avoids poor sealing or liquid backflow problems caused by improper connection. The inclined exhaust pipe 5 can more efficiently discharge the internally accumulated gas during system operation, ensuring that the expansion tank is always in a stable working state, further improving the reliability and safety of the entire cooling system.

[0031] Optionally, the outlet 9 is inclined at the bottom of the lower housing 2, corresponding to the pipe connection direction, with the inclination angle consistent with the pipe connection direction. This inclined design makes the connection between the outlet 9 and the external pipe more tight and smooth, reducing the resistance during liquid flow and improving the discharge efficiency of the coolant. At the same time, the reasonable setting of the inclination angle can also effectively prevent liquid from accumulating at the interface, avoiding corrosion or leakage problems caused by liquid accumulation.

[0032] Optionally, the flow channel rib 7 is designed to conform to the inner wall profile of the upper shell 1 and the lower shell 2. This conformal design allows the flow channel rib 7 to better fit the curve of the inner wall of the shell, optimizing the coolant flow path and improving water vapor separation efficiency. Simultaneously, this design effectively reduces coolant disturbance during flow, lowering the possibility of residual air bubbles and further ensuring the stability of the cooling system.

[0033] Optionally, the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 are sealed together by hot plate welding. Hot plate welding technology ensures complete fusion of the mating surfaces of the upper and lower housings, forming a reliable sealing structure and effectively preventing coolant leakage.

[0034] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A conformal expansion tank, comprising an upper shell (1) and a lower shell (2) connected together, characterized in that: The upper shell (1) has a filling port through its shell wall. The upper shell (1) has an exhaust pipe (5) inclined on the side away from the filling port. The lower shell (2) has a liquid outlet (9) inclined through its bottom. The lower shell (2) has a fixing keel (8) at its bottom. The upper shell (1) and the lower shell (2) have flow channel ribs (7) inside. The flow channel ribs (7) are used to achieve water vapor separation and form a liquid flow path. The upper shell (1) and the lower shell (2) have box body recesses (4) on their exteriors corresponding to the positions of the flow channel ribs (7).

2. The conformal expansion tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filling port is provided with a threaded opening (6), and the threaded opening (6) is connected to the filling cap (3) by thread.

3. The conformal expansion tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: Fixed through holes (10) are provided on the welded flanges of the upper shell (1) and the lower shell (2).

4. The conformal expansion tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The exhaust pipe (5) is inclined on the upper housing (1) in the direction of pipe connection, and its inclination angle is consistent with the direction of pipe connection.

5. The conformal expansion tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outlet (9) is inclined at the bottom of the lower shell (2) in the direction of the pipeline connection, and the inclination angle is consistent with the direction of the pipeline connection.

6. The conformal expansion tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow channel stiffener (7) is designed to conform to the inner wall shape of the upper shell (1) and the lower shell (2).

7. The conformal expansion tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper shell (1) and the lower shell (2) are sealed together by hot plate welding.

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