Pressure cap for a vehicle cooling system

Abstract

Pressure closure device (10) for a cooling system of a vehicle, comprising: a tank filling port (11) which is attached to an upper portion of a tank in which cooling water is stored or a radiator through which cooling water flows into a cooling system of the vehicle, and which is provided on its lateral side with a connecting port (11a) through which the cooling water or the air flows, an outer cap (14) for closing an upper end portion of the container filling connection (11), a pressure valve (15) arranged in the container filling port (11) to be adapted to move upwards and downwards and to allow the inside and outside of the container filling port (11) to be in fluid communication with each other, a valve seal (16) which is provided to contact the pressure valve (15) and to allow air to flow from outside into the interior of the cooling system by being deformed when a pressure inside the cooling system is lower than a predetermined pressure, and an overpressure spring (17) which elastically supports the pressure valve (15) so that the pressure valve (15) closes the interior of the container filling connection (11), wherein the container filling connection (11) further comprises a lower body (12) which supports a lower surface of the pressure valve (15) and an upper body (13) which supports an upper end portion of the overpressure spring (17), and wherein the valve seal (16) is mounted between the pressure valve (15) and the lower body (12), wherein the valve seal (16) further comprises a valve seal body (16a) which is formed in a disc shape and is arranged between the pressure valve (15) and the lower body (12), and wherein the valve seal body (16a) has at least one communication hole (16b), a valve seal head (16c) formed in a conical shape and extending upward from the valve seal body (16a), and support projections (16d) extending downward from a periphery of the valve seal head (16c) and spaced apart from each other with a gap therebetween.

Description

Background of the inventionField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle which is mounted on an upper portion of a tank in which cooling water is stored or a radiator through which cooling water flows into a cooling system of a vehicle, and more particularly to a pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle which has a simple structure and can adjust an internal pressure without deteriorating performance. Description of the technical background

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with a radiator for cooling heat generated by the operation of an engine by radiating the heat generated by the engine to the outside and with a cooling system for circulating the cooling water from the engine to the radiator.

[0003] Furthermore, the cooling system is mounted with a pressure cap for maintaining a pressure in the cooling system at a suitable level.

[0004] The pressure closure 110 is designed so that it has a Fig. 1, and is attached to the radiator or a cooling water tank in which cooling water is stored. When pressure in the radiator or tank increases, the pressure seal 110 relieves the internal pressure, whereas when the pressure in the cooling system becomes lower than the predetermined pressure, the pressure seal allows outside air to be introduced, so that the pressure in the cooling system is maintained at the appropriate level.

[0005] Describing an exemplary structure in which the pressure cap 110 is mounted on the cooling water tank, the pressure cap includes: a tank filling port 111 connected to an upper end portion of the tank; an outer cap 112 covering an upper portion of the tank filling port 111; a relief valve 113 and a relief valve 114 disposed within the tank filling port 111 to control a flow of the cooling water or air; a relief spring 115 for elastically supporting the relief valve 113; and a relief spring 116 for elastically supporting the relief valve 114.

[0006] If the pressure in the cooling system, for example, the cooling water tank, exceeds the predetermined pressure range, then the relief valve 113 is raised and consequently pressurized cooling water or pressurized air is discharged through a connecting port 111a.

[0007] On the other hand, if the internal pressure is lower than the predetermined pressure range, the negative pressure valve 114 is lowered and thus the outside air is introduced through the connection port 111a so that the pressure in the cooling system is maintained within the predetermined pressure range.

[0008] However, in the pressure cap 110 for a cooling system of a vehicle having the above-described structure, there is a problem that since pressure is regulated using both the positive pressure valve 113 and the negative pressure valve 114, a structure of the pressure cap is complicated and hence manufacturing cost is increased.

[0009] Furthermore, since the positive pressure valve 113 and the negative pressure valve 114 operate depending on the spring forces of the positive pressure spring 115 and the negative pressure spring 116, it is not easy to adjust the spring forces of the positive pressure spring 115 and the negative pressure spring 116, which act in opposite directions, and there is a limit to minimizing the spring force of the negative pressure spring 116.

[0010] The above information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is provided merely to enhance the understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be considered as an admission or any suggestion that this information forms part of the prior art as already known to those skilled in the art.

[0011] Furthermore, JP 2013-185445 A discloses a pressure closure device for a cooling system of a vehicle, comprising: a tank filling port attached to an upper portion of a tank in which cooling water is stored or a radiator through which cooling water flows into a cooling system of the vehicle, and provided on its lateral side with a connection port through which the cooling water or the air flows; an outer cap for closing an upper end portion of the tank filling port; a pressure valve disposed in the tank filling port to be configured to move up and down and to allow the inside and outside of the tank filling port to be in fluid communication with each other; a valve seal provided to contact the pressure valve and, by being deformed,when a pressure inside the cooling system is lower than a predetermined pressure, allowing the air to flow from outside into the interior of the cooling system, and an overpressure spring which elastically supports the pressure valve so that the pressure valve closes the interior of the container filling port.

[0012] Further pressure closure devices are known from JP 2000 - 179 340 A and US 4 498 599 A. Explanation of the invention

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle which has a simple structure and can maintain an internal pressure within a predetermined range.

[0014] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be understood from the following description and will become apparent upon reference to the embodiments of the present invention. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the claimed means and combinations thereof.

[0015] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a pressure closure device for a cooling system of a vehicle (e.g., a motor vehicle, e.g., a passenger car) according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0016] In the pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle according to the present invention, since a structure of the interior of the pressure cap is simplified by eliminating a negative pressure spring, a malfunction probability of components is reduced and thus operational reliability of the pressure cap is ensured and quality control is facilitated.

[0017] Furthermore, since the structure is simple, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0018] Furthermore, since the number of springs used for pressure control is reduced, the spring force can be easily adjusted.

[0019] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

[0020] The devices of the present invention have additional features and advantages which will be apparent from, or set forth in more detail in, the accompanying drawings incorporated herein and the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle according to the prior art, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a valve seal in a pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, Fig. 3B is a plan view of a valve seal in a pressure cap for a vehicle cooling system in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, Fig. Figure 3C is a cross-sectional view along line AA of Fig. 3B, Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an internal pressure in a pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle is released in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an internal pressure in a pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle is replenished in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] It should be understood that the attached drawings are not necessarily to scale and represent a somewhat simplified representation of various features in order to illustrate the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes disclosed herein, will be dictated (at least) in part by the particular intended application and usage environment.

[0022] In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like or equivalent components of the present invention. Detailed description

[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention will be described in connection with the exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the invention to these exemplary embodiments.

[0024] Hereinafter, a pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] A pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle (e.g., a motor vehicle, e.g., a passenger car) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: a tank filling port (e.g., tank filling nozzle) 11, which is attached to an upper portion of a tank in which cooling water is stored, or a radiator through which cooling water flows into a cooling system of a vehicle, and which is provided on its lateral side with a connecting port (e.g., connecting nozzle) 11a, through which the cooling water or the air flows, an outer cap (e.g.,outer cover) 14 for closing an upper end portion of the reservoir filling port 11, a pressure valve 15 which is arranged in the reservoir filling port 11 to be configured to move up and down and to allow the inside and the outside of the reservoir filling port 11 to fluidly communicate with each other, a valve seal 16 which is provided to be in close contact with the pressure valve 15 (e.g., arranged directly adjacent to the pressure valve) and to allow the air to flow from the outside into the inside of the cooling system by deforming the valve seal 16 when a pressure inside the cooling system is lower than a predetermined pressure, and a relief spring 17 which elastically supports (e.g., resiliently mounts) the pressure valve 15 so that the pressure valve 15 closes the inside of the reservoir filling port 11.

[0026] The tank filling port 11 is arranged at the upper portion of the tank in which the cooling water is stored or the radiator where the cooling water is cooled in the cooling system. The cooling water can be replenished into the cooling system through the tank filling port 11. The tank filling port 11 becomes a channel for discharging the pressurized cooling water or pressurized air toward the outside when the pressure in the cooling system is higher than the predetermined pressure, and also allows air to be introduced into the interior from the outside, so that the cooling system is maintained at an adequate pressure when the pressure in the cooling system is lower than the predetermined pressure.

[0027] The reservoir filler port 11 has a structure whose interior is hollow and whose upper and lower sides are open (e.g., the reservoir filler port is configured as a reservoir filler nozzle). The reservoir filler port 11 is also formed in its lateral direction with the connection port 11a, which communicates with the central portion thereof. Cooling water or air is discharged to the outside through the connection port 11a when the pressure is positive, and outside air flows into the cooling system through the connection port 11a when the pressure is very low.

[0028] The pressure cap 10 is screwed onto an upper end portion of the container filling connection 11 (e.g., attached thereto by means of a screw thread).

[0029] When the pressure cap 10 is screwed onto the upper end portion of the tank filling port 11, it closes an open upper (in particular, uppermost) end portion of the tank filling port 11. When the pressure cap 10 is detached from the tank filling port 11, cooling water can be filled through the upper end portion of the tank filling port 11.

[0030] An upper body 13 and a lower body 12 are arranged in a vertical direction within the container filling port 11.

[0031] The upper body 13 and the lower body 12 are bolted together to form a space therein. The lower body 12 is formed such that a central portion thereof is penetrated (e.g., recessed, such that the lower body is provided with a through-hole) to allow cooling water or air to flow therethrough, and such that a portion of the lateral side (e.g., a portion of a side wall) of the lower body 12 is in fluid communication with the connection port 11a so that the cooling water or air is discharged under excess pressure or air can be introduced therethrough from the outside.

[0032] The pressure relief valve 15 is housed on an inner lower surface (e.g., an inner bottom surface) of the lower body 12 (e.g., urged against the inner lower surface of the lower body 12 by the relief spring 17). The pressure relief valve 15 maintains a state of being housed on the inner lower surface of the lower body 12 when the pressure in the cooling system is within an adequate range, whereas when the pressure in the cooling system is increased, the pressure relief valve is spaced apart from the inner lower surface of the lower body 12 by the increased pressure to relieve the pressure in the cooling system.

[0033] The pressure valve 15 is elastically supported in a direction in which the pressure valve 15 is lowered, that is, a direction in which the pressure valve 15 is placed on the lower body 12 by the relief spring 17, which is elastically supported by the upper body 13 (e.g., a direction in which the pressure valve is pressed by the relief spring supported against the upper body). Due to the relief spring 17, the pressure valve 15 is not opened until the pressure in the cooling system becomes higher than the spring force of the relief spring 17.

[0034] The valve seal 16 is arranged between a lower surface (e.g., bottom surface) of the pressure valve 15 and the inner lower surface of the lower body 12, so that the pressure valve 15 and the lower body 12 are sealed together when the pressure in the cooling system is an adequate pressure, whereas the valve seal is deformed to release the airtightness when the pressure in the cooling system becomes lower than the predetermined pressure, so that the air can be introduced into the cooling system from the outside to maintain the predetermined pressure.

[0035] The valve seal 16 comprises a flexible material so that it can be easily deformed when the pressure in the cooling system is low. The valve seal 16 comprises a rubber material or a silicone material. Since the valve seal 16 comprises a flexible material, it seals between the pressure valve 15 and the lower body 12 when the interior of the cooling system is at an adequate pressure, i.e., within the predetermined range. When the pressure in the cooling system decreases, the valve seal can be further easily deformed so that air can be introduced from the outside.

[0036] The valve seal 16 includes a disc-shaped valve seal body 16a, a communication hole 16b formed to penetrate the upper and lower surfaces of the valve seal 16, a valve seal head 16c formed to extend upward from the valve seal body 16a, and support projections 16d extending downward from the periphery of the valve seal head 16c.

[0037] The valve seal body 16a is formed in a disc shape and disposed between the lower surface of the pressure valve 15 and the lower body 12. The valve seal body 16a essentially seals the pressure valve 15 and the lower body 12 (e.g., the valve seal body essentially provides the seal between them).

[0038] The communication hole 16b is formed so that the upper and lower surfaces of the valve seal body 16a are in fluid communication with each other. At least one communication hole 16b is formed. A plurality of communication holes 16b are formed at a predetermined distance (e.g., a predetermined angular distance) from each other along the circumference of the valve seal 16.

[0039] The valve seal head 16c is formed to extend upward from the upper surface of the valve seal body 16a and penetrate the pressure valve 15. A through hole is formed at the center of the pressure valve 15, and the upper portion of the valve seal head 16c is formed to penetrate the through hole. The upper portion of the valve seal head 16c is formed to have a diameter larger than that of the central portion so that the valve seal 16 is not separated from the pressure valve 15. The valve seal head 16c is formed in a conical shape so that it is easily inserted into the through hole formed in the pressure valve 15.A portion of the valve seal head 16c penetrating the pressure valve 15 is formed so that a gap is formed between this portion and an inner surface of the through hole of the pressure valve 15 such that the gap is configured as a passage allowing air to be introduced from the outside when the pressure in the cooling system is low.

[0040] The support projections 16d are formed to extend downward from the periphery of the valve seal head 16c. Lower end portions of the support projections 16d are supported on the upper surface of the pressure valve 15, which improves the airtightness performance. The support projections 16d are formed in multiples so that they are spaced apart from each other. The support projections 16d form a space between one support projection and an adjacent support projection 16d, which space serves as a passage through which air is introduced from the outside when the pressure in the cooling system is low.

[0041] Reference numerals 18 and 19, which are not described herein, indicate O-rings for airtightness.

[0042] An operation of the pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle having the above-described structure in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[0043] Fig. Figure 2 shows a state in which the pressure in the cooling system is within a predetermined range. In this state, the pressure valve 15 is hermetically sealed from the lower body, so that the inside and outside of the reservoir filler port 11 are sealed to prevent cooling water from flowing out and air from flowing in from the outside, thereby maintaining an adequate pressure.

[0044] Fig. 4A shows a state in which the pressure in the cooling system is higher than the predetermined range. Since the pressure in the cooling system is high, the force caused by the pressure is greater than the spring force of the relief spring 17 in this state, and as a result, the pressure valve 15 is raised.

[0045] When the pressure valve 15 is raised, the pressure valve 15, the lower portion of the tank filling port 11, the lower end portion of the lower body 12, the lateral side of the lower body 12, and the connecting port 11a are in fluid communication with each other, with the result that the cooling water or air whose pressure has increased in the cooling system is discharged to the outside to relieve the pressure and again obtain an adequate pressure.

[0046] Fig. 4B shows a state where the pressure in the cooling system is lower than the predetermined range. When the pressure in the cooling system decreases, the central portion of the valve seal 16 is deformed downward and concavely. Since the valve seal 16 is made of a flexible material and a diameter (e.g., the diameter of the penetrated central portion) of the lower body 12 supporting the pressure valve 15 is larger than that of the through hole formed in the pressure valve 15, the valve seal 16 is deformed concavely toward the through hole formed in the pressure valve 15.

[0047] When the valve seal 16 is deformed downward and concave, the airtightness between the lower surface of the pressure valve 15 and the lower body 12 is broken. When the airtightness is broken by the valve seal 16, outside air is introduced from the connection port 11a via / through the lateral side of the lower body 12, the through hole of the pressure valve 15, the connection hole 16b of the valve seal 16, and the through hole of the lower body 12, and in turn, the pressure in the cooling system is raised to an adequate level.

[0048] Fig. 5, on the other hand, illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pressure cap for a cooling system of a vehicle in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a hard insert 16e is incorporated into the valve seal 16, thereby improving the strength of the valve seal 16. The insert 16e comprises a synthetic resin material or a metal material and is inserted into the central portion of the valve seal body 16a of the valve seal 16, resulting in an improvement in the strength of the valve seal 16.

[0050] For ease of explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms "upper...", "lower...", "inner...", "outer...", "high", "down", "upward", "downward", "front...", "backward...", "front", "rear", "inward / inward", "outward / outward", "inside", "outside", "inside", "outside", "forward / forward" and "backward / rearward" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to their positions as shown in the drawings.

[0051] The foregoing descriptions of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many changes and modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical applicability, to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and use various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] Pressure closure device (10) for a cooling system of a vehicle, comprising: a tank filling port (11) which is attached to an upper portion of a tank in which cooling water is stored or a radiator through which cooling water flows into a cooling system of the vehicle, and which is provided on its lateral side with a connecting port (11a) through which the cooling water or the air flows, an outer cap (14) for closing an upper end portion of the container filling connection (11), a pressure valve (15) arranged in the container filling port (11) to be adapted to move upwards and downwards and to allow the inside and outside of the container filling port (11) to be in fluid communication with each other, a valve seal (16) which is provided to contact the pressure valve (15) and to allow air to flow from outside into the interior of the cooling system by being deformed when a pressure inside the cooling system is lower than a predetermined pressure, and an overpressure spring (17) which elastically supports the pressure valve (15) so that the pressure valve (15) closes the interior of the container filling connection (11), wherein the container filling connection (11) further comprises a lower body (12) which supports a lower surface of the pressure valve (15) and an upper body (13) which supports an upper end portion of the overpressure spring (17), and wherein the valve seal (16) is mounted between the pressure valve (15) and the lower body (12), wherein the valve seal (16) further comprises a valve seal body (16a) which is formed in a disc shape and is arranged between the pressure valve (15) and the lower body (12), and wherein the valve seal body (16a) has at least one communication hole (16b), a valve seal head (16c) formed in a conical shape and extending upward from the valve seal body (16a), and support projections (16d) extending downward from a periphery of the valve seal head (16c) and spaced apart from each other with a gap therebetween. [2] Pressure closure device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the lower body (12) is arranged within the container filling port (11) and wherein the valve seal comprises a flexible material to be deformed when the pressure in the cooling system is low and to seal between the pressure valve (15) and the lower body (12). [3] The pressure closure device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the lower body (12) is provided at its center with a through hole penetrating the lower body (12) in its axial direction, and wherein the through hole is formed to have a larger diameter than a through hole formed in the center of the pressure valve (15). [4] Pressure closure device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least one communication hole (16b) is adapted to allow an upper and lower surface of the valve seal body (16a) to be in fluid communication with each other. [5] The pressure seal device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the valve sealing head (16c) penetrates the pressure valve (15), and lower end portions of the support projections (16d) are supported on an upper surface of the pressure valve (15) to improve airtightness. [6] The pressure closure device (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the communication hole (16b) is formed in plural numbers with a predetermined angular interval between them along the circumference of the valve seal (16). [7] Pressure closure device (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the valve seal (16) is arranged to be lifted together with the pressure valve (15) and to allow the container filling port (11) and the connecting port (11a) to be in fluid communication with each other when the pressure in the cooling system is higher than the predetermined pressure. [8] Pressure closure device (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the valve seal (16) is arranged to be deformed so that the valve seal body (16a) is spaced from the lower surface of the pressure valve (15) and to allow fluid communication from the connection port (11a) to the interior of the container filling port (11) when the pressure in the cooling system is lower than the predetermined pressure. [9] The pressure closure device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the valve sealing head (16c) is formed to have an upper diameter which is larger than a diameter of the through hole formed at the center of the pressure valve (15). [10] The pressure closure device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an insert (16e) for reinforcing the strength of the valve seal body (16a) is inserted into the valve seal body (16a) of the valve seal (16).

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