Reservoir arrangement for brake system

Abstract

Reservoir assembly (100) for a brake system storing brake oil to supply the brake oil to a master cylinder (10), which reservoir assembly (100) comprises: a first reservoir tank (110) coupled to the master cylinder (10) and having a first connection opening (113) in an upper portion; a second reservoir tank (120) arranged at a predetermined distance from the upper portion of the first reservoir tank (110) and having an oil inlet (121) on one side and a second connection opening (123) on the other side; and a connecting part (130) connecting the first connecting opening (113) to the second connecting opening (123) to transfer the brake oil from the second reservoir tank (120) to the first reservoir tank (110), characterized in that a passage (115) communicating with the first connecting opening (113) is formed at an inner upper portion of the first reservoir tank (110) to have a cross-sectional area through which brake oil passes, which increases from a second reservoir chamber (110b) to a first reservoir chamber (110a).

Description

BACKGROUND1. Area

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a reservoir assembly for a braking system, and more particularly to a reservoir assembly for a braking system that is easily installed in a confined space. 2. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Generally, a master cylinder of a vehicle braking system refers to a device that generates braking force by transmitting hydraulic pressure generated by pedal power to a wheel cylinder installed in each wheel. A brake oil storage tank is integrally installed in an upper portion of the master cylinder to supply brake oil to the master cylinder.

[0003] In recent years, electronic braking systems that perform various functions and electronically control devices have been used to improve vehicle stability. In the case of vehicles equipped with such electronic braking systems, it is difficult to accommodate parts in a limited space due to the addition of components such as an internal combustion engine and a transmission, as well as devices such as a motor and a converter. Thus, it is difficult to install a conventional master cylinder integrally provided with a reservoir in a limited space of a vehicle due to its restricted shape.

[0004] Although a reservoir installed in a master cylinder is arranged in two or more sub-units, the brake oil does not flow smoothly between the separate reservoirs when the brake oil is injected from one reservoir to another. Thus, it is difficult to supply oil smoothly to the master cylinder, leading to the occurrence of safety incidents.

[0005] US Pat. No. 6,550,591 B2 relates to the uniform refilling of a working fluid and describes a main reservoir with an inlet opening for supplying hydraulic fluid and an auxiliary reservoir connected to the main reservoir via a pipeline. A diagonally extending connecting pipe is provided on the auxiliary reservoir, and a recess is provided at an opening portion of an inner circumference of the connecting pipe.

[0006] The publication JP 2007-076 581 A deals with improving the weldability of the halves of a container by means of a rib half. SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention proposes a reservoir assembly for a brake system according to claim 1, which is easily installed in a limited space by dividing the reservoir and has excellent flow conditions for brake oil. Individual embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] Additional aspects of the disclosure are set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reservoir assembly for a brake system that stores brake oil to supply the brake oil to a master cylinder, the reservoir assembly including: a first reservoir tank coupled to the master cylinder and having a first communication port in an upper portion; a second reservoir tank disposed at a predetermined distance from the upper portion of the first reservoir tank and having an oil inlet on one side and a second communication port on the other side; and a communication member connecting the first communication port to the second communication port to transfer the brake oil from the second reservoir tank to the first reservoir tank.

[0010] In the container assembly, the boundary wall is formed to extend from an inner lower surface of the first container tank to an inner upper surface thereof so as to have a predetermined distance from the inner upper surface and to be bent at a predetermined angle.

[0011] In the container arrangement, the first communication opening and the second communication opening may be formed to be inclined.

[0012] Also, in the container arrangement, the first connection opening may be connected to an upper surface of the first container tank.

[0013] Also, in the container arrangement, the upper surface of the first container tank may be inclined with respect to the first connection opening.

[0014] Also, in the reservoir assembly, a boundary wall may be provided to divide the interior of the first reservoir tank into a first reservoir chamber and a second reservoir chamber, thereby allowing the interior of the first reservoir tank to communicate with the first and second pressure chambers of the master cylinder, respectively.

[0015] In this case, in the reservoir assembly, a passage communicating with the first communication port may be further formed at an inner upper portion of the first reservoir tank to have a cross-sectional area through which brake oil passes and which increases from the second reservoir chamber toward the first reservoir chamber.

[0016] Also, in the container arrangement, the boundary wall may be bent towards the first container chamber or the second container chamber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and / or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily understood from the following description of the embodiments, which is given in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupled state of a container arrangement and a main cylinder that are used in a braking system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a view illustrating a flow direction of brake oil of the container arrangement for a braking system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the interior of a first container tank that is arranged in the container arrangement for a braking system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lower portion of the first reservoir tank disposed in the reservoir assembly for a brake system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lower portion of the first reservoir tank disposed in the reservoir assembly for a brake system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments shown herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concepts of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. The drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for simplicity of description and clarity.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupled state of a reservoir assembly and a master cylinder used in a brake system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a view illustrating a flow direction of brake oil of the reservoir assembly for a brake system. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the interior of a first reservoir tank disposed in the reservoir assembly for a brake system. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lower portion of the first container tank.

[0020] According to the Fig. 1 to 4, a reservoir assembly 100 for a brake system according to one embodiment includes a first reservoir tank 110 coupled to a master cylinder 10, a second reservoir tank 120 disposed at a predetermined distance from the first reservoir tank 110, and a connecting member 130 connecting the first reservoir tank 110 to the second reservoir tank 120. In this regard, the master cylinder 10 coupled to the first reservoir tank 100 will be briefly described before describing the configuration of the reservoir assembly 100 according to the present disclosure.

[0021] Generally, the master cylinder 10 may include at least one chamber and generate hydraulic pressure. As illustrated in the drawings, the master cylinder 10 may include a first pressure chamber 11a and a second pressure chamber 11b. A first piston 12a, connected to an input rod (not shown) associated with a brake pedal (not shown), is disposed in the first pressure chamber 11a, and a second piston 12b is disposed in the second pressure chamber 11b. Additionally, the first and second pressure chambers 11a and 11b include a first return spring 13a and a second return spring 13b, respectively, which return the first and second pistons 12a and 12b to their respective initial positions.

[0022] The master cylinder 10 is a device that supplies hydraulic pressure to a wheel cylinder (not shown) arranged at each wheel of a vehicle by discharging oil using a pressure generated when the first and second pistons 12a and 12b in the first and second pressure chambers 11a and 11b, respectively, pressurize according to the force of a brake. Since the master cylinder is known in the art, a detailed description thereof will not be given.

[0023] The first reservoir tank 110 has a predetermined space for storing brake oil. The first and second oil ports 111a and 111b, which are coupled to the master cylinder 10, are arranged in lower portions of the first reservoir tank 110 to supply brake oil to the master cylinder 10. That is, the first oil port 111a is coupled to communicate with the first pressure chamber 11a, and the second oil port 111b is coupled to communicate with the second pressure chamber 11b. Also, a first communication port 113 is arranged in an upper portion of the first reservoir tank 110 to receive brake oil from the second reservoir tank 120, as described below.

[0024] The first communication port 113 is integrally formed in the upper surface of the first reservoir tank 110. As illustrated in the drawings, the first communication port 113 may be located in a central region of the upper surface of the first reservoir tank 111. Here, the position of the first communication port 113 is not limited to the central region of the upper surface of the first reservoir tank 110 and may selectively vary. For example, the first communication port 113 may be located on a left side or a right side of the upper surface with respect to the center of the upper surface of the illustrated first reservoir tank 110. The first communication port 113 is arranged to be inclined. That is, the first communication port 113 may be formed to have a predetermined inclination toward the second reservoir tank 120, as described later.

[0025] Additionally, the upper surface of the first reservoir tank 110 has a tapered shape. Specifically, the upper surface of the first reservoir tank 110 is inclined with respect to the area where the first communication hole 113 is formed. This allows viscous brake oil to flow smoothly along a wall of the first reservoir tank 110 when the brake oil is introduced into the first reservoir tank 110 through the first communication hole 113.

[0026] The interior of the first reservoir tank 110 is divided into a first reservoir chamber 110a and a second reservoir chamber 110b such that brake oil is supplied to the first pressure chamber 11a and the second pressure chamber 11b, respectively, when the first reservoir tank 110 is coupled to the master cylinder 10. Specifically, a boundary wall 112 disposed in the first reservoir tank 110 can divide the interior of the first reservoir tank 110 into the first and second reservoir chambers 110a and 110b. The boundary wall 112 extends upward from an inner lower surface of the first reservoir tank 110 toward an inner upper surface of the first reservoir tank 110. In this case, however, the boundary wall 112 is formed to be spaced apart from the inner upper surface of the first reservoir tank 110. The boundary wall 112 is bent to have a predetermined angle.For example, the boundary wall 112 may have an upper surface and a lower surface that are curved toward the first container chamber 110a or the second container chamber 110b. As illustrated in the drawings, the boundary wall 112. bent toward the first reservoir chamber 110a. This serves to reduce frictional resistance for the brake oil through the boundary wall 112 between the first reservoir chamber 110a and the second reservoir chamber 110b. That is, when the amount of brake oil flowing to either the first reservoir chamber or the second reservoir chamber increases, the brake oil should not flow into the other chamber via the boundary wall due to the surface tension of the viscous brake oil. Thus, the bent shape can prevent this phenomenon. Accordingly, although the amount of brake oil flowing to either the first reservoir chamber 110a or the second reservoir chamber 110b increases when the brake oil is introduced into the first reservoir tank 110, the brake oil can smoothly flow from one reservoir chamber with a larger flow amount to the other reservoir chamber with a larger flow amount due to the reduced frictional resistance for the brake oil according to the bent shape of the boundary wall 112. Although the shape of the boundary wall 112 according to the embodiment is illustrated as being bent toward the first container chamber 110a, the shape is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, a boundary wall 112' formed in a first container tank 110' may also be bent toward the second container clamp 110b.

[0027] According to the Fig. 1 to 4, a passage 115 connecting the first communication port 113 to the interior of the first reservoir tank 110 is formed at a portion where the first communication port 113 is connected to the first reservoir tank 110. That is, the passage 115 may be formed on the upper surface of the first reservoir tank 110 to have a predetermined length because the first communication port 113 is inclined. As illustrated in the drawings, the passage 115 may be formed such that a cross-sectional area through which brake oil passes increases in a flow direction of the brake oil, that is, in a direction from the second reservoir chamber 110b toward the first reservoir chamber 110a.This is because an amount of brake oil flowing along an inclined upper surface of the second reservoir chamber 110b is larger than that of brake oil flowing along an inclined upper surface of the first reservoir chamber 110a when the viscous brake oil is introduced through the first communication port 113. Thus, since the cross-sectional area of ​​the passage 115 through which brake oil passes becomes larger as the passage 115 approaches the first reservoir chamber 110a, the brake oil can flow uniformly into the first and second reservoir chambers 110a and 110b. Also, since the cross-sectional area of ​​the passage 115 varies, air within the first reservoir tank 110 can be easily discharged through the first communication port 113 when brake oil flows into the first reservoir tank 110. That is, air can be discharged from the first reservoir tank 110 opposite to the direction shown in FIG. Fig.2 direction of the flow of brake oil indicated by an arrow.

[0028] The second reservoir tank 120 has a predetermined space for storing brake oil. Specifically, the second reservoir tank 120 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the top of the first reservoir tank 110 and has an oil inlet 121 on one side and a second connection port 123 on the other side.

[0029] The oil inlet 121 is formed in an upper portion of the second reservoir tank 120, and brake oil is introduced thereinto through the oil inlet 121. In this case, a cap 122 is installed on the oil inlet 121 to prevent the brake oil from leaking.

[0030] The second connection port 123 is integrally formed at a lower portion of the second reservoir tank 120. As illustrated in the drawings, the second connection port 123 is inclined toward the first reservoir tank 110. This allows brake oil to flow smoothly from the second reservoir tank 120 to the first reservoir tank 110 when the first connection port is connected to the second connection port 123 via the connecting part 130, as described below.

[0031] The connecting part 130 connects the first connecting port 113 to the second connecting port 123 to transfer brake oil from the second reservoir tank 120 to the first reservoir tank 110. The connecting part 130 may be formed of a rubber hose for easy transfer of brake oil even when the installation positions of the first reservoir tank 110 and the second reservoir tank 120 are changed.

[0032] As a result, the reservoir assembly 100 for a brake system can be easily installed in a limited space because the reservoir assembly 100 is divided into the first and second reservoir tanks 110 and 120. Also, the flowability of brake oil therein can be improved because air within the first reservoir tank 110 can be easily discharged while brake oil is injected from the second reservoir tank 120 into the first reservoir tank 110.

[0033] As apparent from the above description, the reservoir assembly for a brake system according to the present disclosure is divided into the first reservoir tank coupled to the master cylinder and the second reservoir tank for supplying brake oil to the first reservoir tank, and thus the reservoir assembly can be easily installed in a limited space.

[0034] Also, brake oil can be smoothly injected into the divided reservoir tanks due to the improved flow conditions for the brake oil by changing the shapes of the reservoir tanks and the shape of the boundary wall arranged in the reservoir tank.

[0035] Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

[1] Reservoir assembly (100) for a brake system, which stores brake oil to supply the brake oil to a master cylinder (10), which reservoir assembly (100) comprises: a first reservoir tank (110) coupled to the master cylinder (10) and having a first connection opening (113) in an upper portion; a second reservoir tank (120) arranged at a predetermined distance from the upper portion of the first reservoir tank (110) and having an oil inlet (121) on one side and a second connection opening (123) on the other side; and a connecting part (130) connecting the first connecting opening (113) to the second connecting opening (123) to transfer the brake oil from the second reservoir tank (120) to the first reservoir tank (110), characterized bythat a passage (115) communicating with the first communication opening (113) is formed at an inner upper portion of the first reservoir tank (110) to have a cross-sectional area through which brake oil passes that increases from a second reservoir chamber (110b) to a first reservoir chamber (110a). [2] The container assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first communication opening (113) and the second communication opening (123) are formed to be inclined. [3] A container assembly (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first connecting opening (113) is connected to an upper surface of the first container tank (110). [4] A container assembly (100) according to claim 3, wherein the upper surface of the first container tank (110) is inclined with respect to the first communication opening (113). [5] A container assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a boundary wall (112) for dividing the interior of the first container tank (110) into the first container chamber (110a) and the second container chamber (110b), which allow the interior of the first container tank (110) to communicate with first and second pressure chambers (11a, 11b) of the master cylinder (10), respectively, is provided. [6] A container assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the boundary wall (112) is formed to extend from an inner lower surface of the first container tank (110) toward an inner upper surface thereof, but at a predetermined distance from the inner upper surface, and is bent to have a predetermined angle. [7] Container assembly (100) according to claim 6, wherein the boundary wall (112) is bent towards the first container chamber (110a) or the second container chamber (110b).

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