Vehicle tanks

JP7632359B2Active Publication Date: 2025-02-19TOYODA GOSEI CO LTD
View PDF 6 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022043367
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-03-18
Publication Date
2025-02-19
Estimated Expiration
2042-03-18

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007632359000001
    Figure 0007632359000001
  • Figure 0007632359000002
    Figure 0007632359000002
  • Figure 0007632359000003
    Figure 0007632359000003
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a technology which heats a cleaning liquid in storage parts without arranging a heat exchanger within the storage parts in which the cleaning fluid is stored at a vehicle tank.SOLUTION: A vehicle tank includes: a first storage part in which a first liquid for cleaning a cleaning object is stored; and a second storage part which receives a second liquid heated at the exterior by heat exchange with a heating part of a vehicle and in which the received second liquid is stored. A first wall defining the first storage part and a second wall defining the second storage part have a common wall shared by the first storage part and the second storage part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tank for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Regarding vehicle tanks, there are known techniques for warming the washer fluid contained in the vehicle tank for the purpose of melting ice on the vehicle's front windshield, improving the washing efficiency, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for warming the washer fluid by flowing engine coolant into a heat exchanger arranged in a tank that contains the washer fluid and exchanging heat between the engine coolant and the washer fluid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-184524 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to place a heat exchanger inside the tank, which reduces the volume of the cleaning liquid that can be contained in the tank by the volume of the heat exchanger that is occupied in the tank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a tank for a vehicle is provided, the tank for a vehicle including a first storage section for storing a first liquid for washing an object to be washed, and a second storage section for receiving a second liquid that has been heated externally by heat exchange with a heat generating section of a vehicle and storing the received second liquid, wherein a first wall that partitions the first storage section and a second wall that partitions the second storage section include a common wall shared by the first storage section and the second storage section. In this configuration, the first liquid contained in the first storage unit can be heated by the second liquid contained in the second storage unit through the common wall, and therefore the first liquid in the first storage unit can be heated without disposing a heat exchanger in the first storage unit. (2) In the above embodiment, a heat insulating wall may be provided that surrounds the first storage unit and the second storage unit and insulates the first storage unit and the second storage unit from the outside. In this embodiment, the first storage unit and the second storage unit can be insulated from the outside by the heat insulating wall, so that the first liquid in the first storage unit can be more effectively heated by the second liquid in the second storage unit. (3) In the above embodiment, the first storage unit has a first opening opening toward a first direction, the second storage unit has a second opening opening toward the first direction, and the cover member may further include a first communication port that communicates the inside of the first storage unit with the outside and a second communication port that communicates the inside of the second storage unit with the outside. In this embodiment, the first liquid can flow in and out of the first storage unit through the first communication port, and the second liquid can flow in and out of the second storage unit through the second communication port. Therefore, for example, even if the first communication port and the second communication port are not provided so as to penetrate the first wall and the second wall, each liquid can easily flow in and out of the first storage unit and the second storage unit. (4) In the above embodiment, the cover member may have a heat insulating portion for insulating the first storage portion and the second storage portion from the outside. In this embodiment, even if a first opening and a second opening are provided, the cover member can effectively insulate the first storage portion and the second storage portion from the outside. (5) In the above embodiment, the first container may be surrounded by the second container. In this embodiment, heat from the second liquid in the second container is easily transferred to the first liquid in the first container, and heat dissipation from the first container to the outside can be further suppressed. Therefore, the first liquid in the first container can be more effectively heated by the second liquid in the second container. (6) In the above embodiment, the second wall may have a wall portion different from the common wall, and at least a portion of the common wall may be thinner than the wall portion. In this embodiment, heat of the second liquid in the second storage unit is more easily transferred to the first liquid in the first storage unit via the common wall. Therefore, the first liquid in the first storage unit can be more effectively heated by the second liquid in the second storage unit.

[0007] The present disclosure can be realized in various forms other than the above-mentioned vehicle tank, such as a vehicle equipped with a vehicle tank. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a tank for a vehicle in a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a VV cross section of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a tank for a vehicle according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a tank for a vehicle according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle tank 100 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, arrows are shown along the X, Y, and Z directions that are orthogonal to each other. The X, Y, and Z directions are directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, which are three spatial axes that are orthogonal to each other, and each direction includes both a direction on one side along the X, Y, and Z axes and an opposite direction. The X and Y axes are axes along a horizontal plane, and the Z axis is an axis along a vertical line. In other figures, arrows along the X, Y, and Z directions are also shown as appropriate. The X, Y, and Z directions in FIG. 1 and the X, Y, and Z directions in other figures represent the same directions. In the following, the +Z direction is also called "up" and the -Z direction is also called "down".

[0010] The tank 100 for a vehicle is provided in a vehicle (not shown). The tank 100 for a vehicle contains a first liquid and a second liquid therein. The first liquid refers to a liquid for washing an object to be washed. The first liquid in this embodiment is also called a washing liquid or a washer liquid, and is configured as a liquid containing a surfactant, alcohol (e.g., methanol or ethanol), and the like. The object to be washed with the first liquid may be any object, such as the front window or rear window of the vehicle, headlights, various sensors or cameras for detecting pedestrians or objects while driving, and the like. The second liquid is a liquid that is heated outside the tank 100 for a vehicle by heat exchange with a heat generating part of the vehicle, and is used to heat the first liquid. In this embodiment, a coolant for cooling or adjusting the temperature of a heat generating part of the vehicle is used as the second liquid. The object to be cooled by the second liquid, that is, the heat generating part to be cooled or adjusted in temperature by the second liquid, may be any object, such as an engine, a motor, an inverter, a battery pack, a control computer, and the like, mounted on the vehicle.

[0011] The vehicle tank 100 functions as a part of a washing system including a nozzle for discharging a washing liquid, and as a part of a water-cooled cooling system including a heat exchange mechanism such as a radiator, in the vehicle. More specifically, the vehicle tank 100 functions as a washing liquid tank that stores a washing liquid in the washing system, and functions as a coolant reserve tank that stores a coolant in the cooling system. The vehicle in which the vehicle tank 100 is provided may be, for example, a gasoline vehicle or a diesel vehicle, or may be a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), a HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle).

[0012] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle tank 100 includes a first storage section 20 and a second storage section 40. Furthermore, the vehicle tank 100 in this embodiment includes a heat insulating wall 60 and a cover member 80. Note that Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the first liquid Lq1 and the second liquid Lq2 stored in the vehicle tank 100.

[0013] The first container 20 contains the first liquid described above. The first container 20 is partitioned by a first wall 28, and has a first chamber 21 for containing the first liquid therein. More specifically, in this embodiment, the first container 20 is formed by a heat-retaining tank TN1, and the first wall 28 is formed by a wall W1 of the heat-retaining tank TN1. The heat-retaining tank TN1 is formed by, for example, polypropylene (PP) or glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (GFPP). In this embodiment, the heat-retaining tank TN1 is formed in a concave shape that opens toward the +Z direction as a whole. Therefore, the first container 20 has a concave shape that opens toward the +Z direction as a whole, and has a first opening 22 that opens toward the +Z direction. The heat-retaining tank TN1 has a brim-shaped first brim portion 23 at its upper end. In the following, the direction in which the first opening 22 opens is also referred to as the first direction. That is, in this embodiment, the first direction refers to the +Z direction.

[0014] The second storage section 40 receives the second liquid described above and contains the received second liquid. The second storage section 40 is partitioned by a second wall 48, and has a second chamber 41 therein for containing the second liquid. The second storage section 40 in this embodiment has a second opening 42 that opens toward the first direction.

[0015] More specifically, the second storage section 40 in this embodiment is formed by the heating tank TN2 and the above-mentioned heat-retaining tank TN1. The heating tank TN2 is formed of, for example, PP or GFPP, like the heat-retaining tank TN1. In this embodiment, the heating tank TN2 has a concave shape that opens toward the +Z direction as a whole, and has a second flange part 43 formed in a flange shape at its upper end. The second storage section 40 has outer dimensions larger than those of the first storage section 20 in the X and Y directions. In the heating tank TN2, the above-mentioned heat-retaining tank TN1 is inserted from above into the opening of the recess of the heating tank TN2 so that a space is formed between the wall W1 and the wall W2 of the heating tank TN2. As a result, the second wall 48 is formed by the part of the wall W1 inserted into the heating tank TN2 and the wall W2, and the second storage section 40 is partitioned so as to surround the periphery of the first storage section 20. More specifically, in this embodiment, the periphery of the first storage section 20 in the X direction and Y direction and the periphery of the bottom are surrounded by the second storage section 40. The above-mentioned second opening 42 is formed in the upper part of the second storage section 40 so as to surround the first opening 22 when viewed along the Z direction.

[0016] The above-mentioned first wall 28 and second wall 48 have a common wall 105. The common wall 105 is a wall of the first wall 28 and the second wall 48 that is shared by the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40, and is a wall that separates both the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40. In this embodiment, the portion of the wall W1 that is contained in the heating tank TN2 corresponds to the common wall 105.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the first wall 28 has a first wall portion 106 different from the common wall 105 in addition to the common wall 105. It can also be said that the first wall portion 106 is a portion of the first wall 28 that does not define the second storage section 40. In the present embodiment, the upper end portion of the first wall 28 including the first flange portion 23 corresponds to the first wall portion 106. In the present embodiment, the second wall 48 has a second wall portion 107 different from the common wall 105 in addition to the common wall 105. It can also be said that the second wall portion 107 is a portion of the second wall 48 that does not define the first storage section 20. In the present embodiment, the wall W2 of the second wall 48 corresponds to the second wall portion 107. Hereinafter, the second wall portion 107 may be simply referred to as a "wall portion".

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the heat-retaining tank TN1 is inserted into the heating tank TN2, so that the first flange 23 is accommodated in the heating tank TN2 so that it is located above the upper end of the heating tank TN2. In other embodiments, the heat-retaining tank TN1 may be accommodated in the heating tank TN2 so that the first flange 23 is located below the upper end of the heating tank TN2. That is, the entire heat-retaining tank TN1 may be accommodated in the heating tank TN2. In this case, the periphery of the first storage unit 20 in the X direction and the Y direction is surrounded by the second storage unit 40 over the entire range of the first storage unit 20 in the Z direction. In this case, the first wall 28 has only the common wall 105 and does not have the first wall portion 106.

[0019] The insulating wall 60 is a portion that surrounds the periphery of the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 and insulates the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 from the outside. In this embodiment, the insulating wall 60 insulates the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 from the outside by air within an insulating chamber 61 described later.

[0020] More specifically, in this embodiment, the heat insulating wall 60 is formed by the wall of the heat insulating tank TN3. The heat insulating tank TN3 is formed of, for example, PP, GFPP, or the like, like the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40. The heat insulating tank TN3 in this embodiment has a shape that opens toward the first direction, and has a brim-shaped third flange section 63 at its upper end. The heating tank TN2 that contains the above-mentioned heat-retaining tank TN1 is inserted from above into the opening of the recess of the heat insulating tank TN3 so that the lower surface of the second flange section 43 and the upper surface of the third flange section 63 are in contact with each other, and a space is formed between the wall W2 and the heat insulating wall 60. As a result, the above-mentioned heat insulating chamber 61 is formed between the wall W2 and the heat insulating wall 60, and the periphery of the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 is surrounded by the heat insulating wall 60. More specifically, the periphery of the second storage section 40 that surrounds the periphery of the first storage section 20 in the X direction and Y direction, and the periphery of the bottom part are surrounded by a heat insulating wall 60.

[0021] The second flange 43 and the third flange 63 are joined by, for example, hot plate welding, vibration welding, laser welding, or the like. By joining the second flange 43 and the third flange 63, the airtightness of the heat-insulating chamber 61 is increased, and the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 can be more effectively insulated from the outside by the heat-insulating wall 60. The airtightness of the heat-insulating chamber 61 only needs to be ensured to a degree that can suppress heat dissipation from the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 to the outside, and for example, a gap may be formed between the second flange 43 and the third flange 63. In other embodiments, the second flange 43 and the third flange 63 may be joined by, for example, an adhesive, or the second flange 43 and the third flange 63 may not be joined.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the heating tank TN2 is inserted into the thermal insulation tank TN3, so that the thermal insulation tank TN1 and the heating tank TN2 are accommodated in the thermal insulation tank TN3 such that the first flange 23 and the second flange 43 are located above the upper end of the thermal insulation tank TN3. In other embodiments, the thermal insulation tank TN1 and the heating tank TN2 may be accommodated in the thermal insulation tank TN3 such that the first flange 23 and the second flange 43 are located below the upper end of the thermal insulation tank TN3. In other words, the entire thermal insulation tank TN1 and the heating tank TN2 may be accommodated in the thermal insulation tank TN3. In this case, the periphery of the first storage unit 20 and the second storage unit 40 in the X direction and the Y direction is surrounded by the thermal insulation wall 60 over the entire range of the first storage unit 20 and the second storage unit 40 in the Z direction.

[0023] The lid member 80 is a member that closes the first opening 22 and the second opening 42. The lid member 80 is formed of, for example, PP, GFPP, or the like, like the heat-retaining tank TN1 and the heating tank TN2. The lid member 80 in this embodiment has a concave shape that opens downward as a whole. At positions of the lid member 80 corresponding to the first flange portion 23 and the second flange portion 43 in the X direction and the Y direction, a first protrusion portion 81 and a second protrusion portion 82 that protrude downward are provided. The lower part of the first protrusion portion 81 and the upper part of the first flange portion 23, and the lower part of the second protrusion portion 82 and the upper part of the second flange portion 43 are welded by hot plate welding, vibration welding, laser welding, or the like. As a result, the lid member 80 is fixed to the upper parts of the first storage portion 20 and the second storage portion 40 so as to close the first opening 22 and the second opening 42. It is preferable that the spaces between the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 and the cover member 80 are sealed liquid-tight.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross section taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a view showing a cross section taken along line VV in FIG. 1. In addition, in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first liquid Lq1 and the second liquid Lq2 shown in FIG. 2 are omitted. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the cover member 80 in this embodiment is provided with a first inlet portion 110 and a second inlet portion 130 as inlet portions for allowing the first liquid and the second liquid to flow from the outside into the tank 100 for a vehicle. In addition, the cover member 80 is provided with a first outlet portion 120 and a second outlet portion 140 as outlet portions for allowing the first liquid and the second liquid to flow from the inside of the tank 100 for a vehicle to the outside. Hereinafter, the inlet portion and the outlet portion are collectively referred to as a communication portion. As described below, each communication section in this embodiment has either a first communication port that connects the inside of the first storage section 20 with the outside of the vehicle tank 100, or a second communication port that connects the inside of the second storage section 40 with the outside of the vehicle tank 100.

[0025] The first inlet 110 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 has a first inlet 111 and a first cap 112 that closes the first inlet 111. The first inlet 111 is a communication port for allowing the first liquid to flow into the first storage unit 20, and corresponds to the above-mentioned first communication port. The first inlet 111 in this embodiment opens upward. The first cap 112 is configured to be detachable from the first inlet 111, and is attached to the upper part of the first inlet 111. The first liquid is injected from the outside into the first storage unit 20 through the first inlet 111 with the first cap 112 removed from the first inlet 111. As a result, the first liquid is replenished into the first storage unit 20.

[0026] The first outflow section 120 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is composed of two first flow paths 121 and a first pump 122. One end of each of the first flow paths 121 is disposed outside the first storage section 20 and functions as a first outflow port 129. The first outflow port 129 is a communication port for causing the first liquid to flow out from inside the first storage section 20, and corresponds to the first communication port described above. In this embodiment, the first outflow port 129 is located above the cover member 80. The other end of each of the first flow paths 121 is connected to a first discharge port 125 of the first pump 122 described later.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the first pump 122 has a first liquid chamber 123, a first suction port 124 for sucking the first liquid in the first chamber 21 into the first liquid chamber 123, a first discharge port 125 for discharging the first liquid in the first liquid chamber 123 into the first flow path 121, a first impeller 126 arranged in the first liquid chamber 123, a first motor 127 connected to the first impeller 126, and a first connector 128 configured as a two-pole connector. The first motor 127 is driven by power supplied through a wiring (not shown) connected to the first connector 128, and rotates the first impeller 126 in the first liquid chamber 123. By the rotation of the first impeller 126, the first pump 122 sucks the first liquid in the first chamber 21 into the first liquid chamber 123 through the first suction port 124 and discharges it into the first flow path 121 through the first discharge port 125. In addition, in this embodiment, the first pump 122 is configured to discharge the first liquid into the first flow path 121 through one of the two first outlets 125 depending on the direction of rotation of the first motor 127.

[0028] The above-mentioned first outlet 129 is connected to a nozzle (not shown) for discharging the cleaning liquid via a first piping section (not shown) for flowing the first liquid. The first piping section is configured by, for example, a rubber hose or the like. The first liquid in the first storage section 20 is discharged from the nozzle via the first outlet 129 and the first piping section by driving the first pump 122. Note that, for example, a plurality of nozzles may be connected to one first outlet 129, and the nozzle used for cleaning may be switchable by a valve mechanism provided in the first piping section or the like. In other embodiments, the number of first outlets 129 may be, for example, one, or may be three or more.

[0029] The second inlet 130 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 has a second inlet 131 and a second cap 132 that closes the second inlet 131. The second inlet 131 is a communication port for allowing the second liquid to flow into the second storage unit 40, and corresponds to the above-mentioned second communication port. The second inlet 131 in this embodiment opens upward. The second cap 132 is configured to be detachable from the second inlet 131, and is attached to the second inlet 131 by being inserted into the second inlet 131 from above. As shown in FIG. 1, the second cap 132 in this embodiment has a connection port 133. The connection port 133 is configured to be connectable to a second piping section (not shown) for flowing the second liquid. The second piping section is, for example, configured by a rubber hose or the like. The second storage unit 40 receives the second liquid that has been heated by heat exchange with a heat generating section of the vehicle through the second piping section, the connection port 133, and the second inlet 131. In addition, with the second cap 132 removed from the second inlet 131, it is also possible to inject the second liquid into the second storage section 40 through the second inlet 131, thereby refilling the second storage section 40 with the second liquid.

[0030] The second outflow section 140 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 is composed of a second flow path 141 and a second pump 142. One end of the second flow path 141 is disposed outside the second storage section 40 and functions as a second outflow port 149. The second outflow port 149 is a communication port for causing the second liquid to flow out from inside the second storage section 40, and corresponds to the above-mentioned second communication port. In this embodiment, the second outflow port 149 is located above the cover member 80. The other end of the second flow path 141 is connected to a second discharge port 145 of the second pump 142, which will be described later.

[0031] The second pump 142 has a second liquid chamber 143, a second suction port 144 for sucking the second liquid in the second chamber 41 into the second liquid chamber 143, a second discharge port 145 for discharging the second liquid in the second liquid chamber 143 to the above-mentioned second flow path 141, a second impeller 146 arranged in the second liquid chamber 143, a second motor 147 connected to the second impeller 146, and a second connector 148. Note that the second connector 148 is not shown in FIG. 5 but is shown in FIG. 1. The second motor 147 is driven by power supplied via a wiring (not shown) connected to the second connector 148, and rotates the second impeller 146 in the second liquid chamber 143. The second pump 142, by the rotation of the second impeller 146, draws the second liquid in the second chamber 41 into the second liquid chamber 143 via the second suction port 144, and discharges the second liquid into the second flow path 141 via the second discharge port 145.

[0032] The second piping section is connected to the above-mentioned second outlet 149. By driving the second pump 142, the second liquid in the second storage section 40 is supplied to a heat-generating part of the vehicle that is to be cooled or temperature-regulated by the second liquid through the second outlet 149 and the piping section.

[0033] According to the vehicle tank 100 in the present embodiment described above, the first wall 28 that defines the first storage section 20 that contains the first liquid, and the second wall 48 that defines the second storage section 40 that receives the second liquid that has been heated externally by heat exchange with a heat generating part of the vehicle and contains the received second liquid, have a common wall 105 shared by the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40. This allows the first liquid contained in the first storage section 20 to be heated by the second liquid contained in the second storage section 40 through the common wall 105. Therefore, the first liquid in the first storage section 20 can be heated without disposing a heat exchanger in the first storage section 20.

[0034] In addition, in this embodiment, a heat insulating wall 60 is provided to surround the periphery of the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 and insulate the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 from the outside of the vehicle tank 100. Therefore, since the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 can be insulated from the outside by the heat insulating wall 60, the first liquid in the first storage section 20 can be heated more effectively by the second liquid in the second storage section 40.

[0035] In this embodiment, a cover member 80 is provided to close a first opening 22 provided in the first storage section 20 and opening in a first direction, and a second opening 42 provided in the second storage section 40 and opening in a first direction. At least one of a first communication port that communicates the inside of the first storage section 20 with the outside and a second communication port that communicates the inside of the second storage section 40 with the outside is formed in the cover member 80. This allows a first liquid to flow in and out of the first storage section 20 through the first communication port, and a second liquid to flow in and out of the second storage section 40 through the second communication port. Therefore, for example, even if a first communication port or a second communication port is not provided so as to penetrate the first wall 28 or the second wall 48, each liquid can easily flow in and out of the first storage section 20 or the second storage section 40.

[0036] Moreover, in this embodiment, the first storage section 20 is surrounded by the second storage section 40. This makes it easier to transfer heat from the second liquid in the second storage section 40 to the first liquid in the first storage section 20, and further suppresses heat dissipation from inside the first storage section 20 to the outside. Therefore, the first liquid in the first storage section 20 can be more effectively heated by the second liquid in the second storage section 40.

[0037] B. Second embodiment: FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a tank 100b for a vehicle in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, at least a part of the common wall 105b is thinner than the second wall portion 107 of the second wall 48. The configuration of the tank 100b for a vehicle in the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. In FIG. 6, the first liquid Lq1 and the second liquid Lq2 are omitted, as in FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0038] In this embodiment, the thickness of the common wall 105b as a whole is thinner than the thickness of the second wall portion 107 of the second wall 48. That is, in this embodiment, the portion of the wall W1 of the heat-retaining tank TN1 that corresponds to the common wall 105b is formed thinner than the wall W2 of the heating tank TN2. The thickness of the common wall 105b in this embodiment is thinner than the thickness of the first wall portion 106 of the first wall 28 and is thinner than the thickness of the heat-insulating wall 60.

[0039] According to the vehicle tank 100b in the second embodiment described above, at least a part of the common wall 105b is thinner than the second wall portion 107 of the second wall 48. This makes it easier for the heat of the second liquid in the second storage section 40 to be transferred to the first liquid in the first storage section 20 through the common wall 105b. Therefore, the first liquid in the first storage section 20 can be more effectively heated by the second liquid in the second storage section 40. In this embodiment, as described above, since the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 are surrounded by the insulating wall 60, even if the common wall 105b is made thin, the effect on the strength of the vehicle tank 100 can be reduced.

[0040] C. Third embodiment: FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a tank 100c for a vehicle in a third embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the cover member 80b has a heat insulating portion 83 for insulating the first storage portion 20 and the second storage portion 40 from the outside. The configuration of the tank 100b for a vehicle in the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. In addition, in FIG. 7, the first liquid Lq1 and the second liquid Lq2 are omitted, as in FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, the cover member 80b is formed by stacking the first member 84, the above-mentioned heat insulating portion 83, and the second member 85 in this order from the bottom. The first member 84 and the second member 85 have a concave shape that opens downward as a whole, and are formed of, for example, PP or the like, similar to the cover member 80 described in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the first protruding portion 81 and the second protruding portion 82 are formed integrally with the first member 84. The heat insulating portion 83 has a concave shape that opens downward as a whole, similar to the first member 84 and the second member 85, and is formed of, for example, a heat insulating material such as polyurethane, glass wool, or rock wool. The first member 84, the heat insulating portion 83, and the second member 85 may be fixed to each other by, for example, a fastener such as a rivet or a bolt, or an adhesive. In addition, the end of the first member 84 and the end of the second member 85 may be fixed by welding, an adhesive, a fastener, or the like, so that the heat insulating portion 83 is held between the first member 84 and the second member 85.

[0042] In other embodiments, the lid members 80b may not have, for example, the second member 85. Furthermore, by providing a space between the lid members 80b, the lid members 80b may function as a heat insulating portion.

[0043] According to the vehicle tank 100c in the third embodiment described above, the cover member 80b has the heat insulating portion 83 for insulating the first storage portion 20 and the second storage portion 40 from the outside. As a result, even if the first opening 22 and the second opening 42 are provided, the cover member 80b can effectively insulate the first storage portion 20 and the second storage portion 40 from the outside.

[0044] D. Other embodiments: (D1) In the above embodiment, the insulating wall 60 insulates the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 from the outside by the air in the insulating chamber 61. In contrast, for example, an insulating material for insulating the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 from the outside may be provided in the insulating chamber 61. Also, the insulating wall 60 itself may be made of an insulating material such as polyurethane, glass wool, or rock wool. In this case, the insulating chamber 61 may not be formed between the insulating wall 60 and the second storage section 40, etc., and the insulating wall 60 may be disposed so as to contact the second storage section 40. More specifically, for example, the insulating wall 60 may be configured by wrapping an insulating material around the second storage section 40. Also, for example, the insulating wall 60 may not be provided in the vehicle tank 100.

[0045] (D2) In the above embodiment, the cover member 80 is provided with both the first communication port and the second communication port, but only one of the first communication port and the second communication port may be provided. Also, for example, the cover member 80 may not be provided. In these cases, for example, communication ports through which the first liquid and the second liquid flow in and out of the vehicle tank 100 may be provided penetrating the first wall 28 and the second wall 48.

[0046] (D3) In the above embodiment, the periphery of the first storage section 20 is surrounded by the second storage section 40. In contrast, the periphery of the first storage section 20 does not have to be surrounded by the second storage section 40. For example, the periphery of the second storage section 40 may be surrounded by the first storage section 20. In this case, the portion of the first wall 28 and the second wall 48 that is disposed between the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 41 and that is surrounded by the first chamber 21 functions as the common wall 105. In addition, the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 may be disposed so as to simply contact each other in the X direction, the Y direction, or the Z direction. In this case, the portion of the first wall 28 and the second wall 48 that is sandwiched between the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 41 in the direction in which the first storage section 20 and the second storage section 40 contact each other functions as the common wall 105.

[0047] (D4) In the above embodiment, the common wall 105 may have, for example, a plurality of projections and recesses protruding toward the first chamber 21 side of the first storage unit 20 or the second chamber 41 side of the second storage unit 40, or may have a wavy shape. This increases the contact area between the first storage unit 20 and the second storage unit 40 that come into contact via the common wall 105, so that the first liquid in the first storage unit 20 can be heated more effectively by the second liquid in the second storage unit 40.

[0048] (D5) In the above embodiment, the vehicle tank 100 is arranged so that the inlet faces upward. In contrast, the vehicle tank 100 does not have to be arranged so that the inlet faces upward as long as the tank is configured to suppress unintended outflow of liquid from the first storage section 20 or the second storage section 40. For example, the vehicle tank 100 may be arranged so that a part or all of the inlets provided in the vehicle tank 100 face in the X direction or Y direction.

[0049] (D6) In the above embodiment, a plurality of vehicle tanks 100 may be provided in one vehicle.

[0050] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention column can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 20...first storage section, 21...first chamber, 22...first opening, 23...first flange, 28...first wall, 40...second storage section, 41...second chamber, 42...second opening, 43...second flange, 45...second flange, 60...insulating wall, 61...insulating chamber, 63...third flange, 80, 80b...cover member, 81...first protrusion, 82...second protrusion, 83...insulating section, 84...first member, 85...second member, 100, 100b, 100c...vehicle tank, 105, 105b...common wall, 106...first wall portion, 107...second wall portion, 110...first inlet, 111...first inlet, 112...first cap , 120...first outflow portion, 121...first flow path, 122...first pump, 123...first liquid chamber, 124...first suction port, 125...first discharge port, 126...first impeller, 127...first motor, 128...first connector, 129...first outflow port, 130...second inflow portion, 131...second inflow port, 132...second cap, 133...connection port, 140...second outflow portion, 141...second flow path, 142...second pump, 143...second liquid chamber, 144...second suction port, 145...second discharge port, 146...second impeller, 147...second motor, 148...second connector, 149...second outflow port

Claims

1. A tank for a vehicle, comprising: a first container that contains a first liquid for cleaning the object to be cleaned; a second storage section that receives a second liquid that has been heated externally by heat exchange with a heat generating portion of the vehicle and stores the received second liquid, a first wall that partitions the first storage portion and a second wall that partitions the second storage portion include a common wall shared by the first storage portion and the second storage portion, The first storage portion has a first opening portion that opens toward a first direction, The second storage portion has a second opening portion that opens toward the first direction, a cover member that closes the first opening and the second opening, A tank for a vehicle, wherein the cover member has at least one of a first communication port that connects the inside of the first storage portion with the outside and a second communication port that connects the inside of the second storage portion with the outside.

2. The tank for a vehicle according to claim 1, A tank for a vehicle comprising an insulating wall that surrounds the first storage portion and the second storage portion and insulates the first storage portion and the second storage portion from the outside.

3. The tank for a vehicle according to claim 1, The cover member has an insulating portion for insulating the first storage portion and the second storage portion from the outside.

4. The tank for a vehicle according to claim 1, A tank for a vehicle, wherein the first storage section is surrounded by the second storage section.

5. A tank for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the second wall has a wall portion different from the common wall; At least a portion of the common wall is thinner than the wall portion.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • JP1979092533U

  • JP1987185669U

  • JP1988181575U

  • Automotive [uindouotsushiya[uindouotsushiya] liquid tank

    JP1992122265U

  • Warm-keeping device for window washer liquid

    JP2009184524A