Reserve tank

Abstract

To provide a tank in which liquid in a tank does not jump out due to a splashed water phenomenon, and an open-to-atmosphere function is not impaired even when an internal pressure of the tank rises rapidly.SOLUTION: The present invention provides a tank in which a cap is attached to a mouth portion formed on a tank body. The cap is provided with a passage (for example, an overflow passage) that communicates an inside and an outside of the tank body, and a packing is interposed between the tank body and the cap. An opening is formed in the packing, and the opening is formed at a position of the packing not facing an opening of the passage. Further, a protrusion is formed on a surface of the cap facing the packing. The protrusion is a point-like protrusion, and a plurality of them are formed on the surface of the cap facing the packing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tank having a passageway that connects the inside to the outside. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in a vehicle with a water-cooled internal combustion engine, a reserve tank is installed to store the coolant that overflows from the radiator. The reserve tank is fitted with a cap that closes the fill port and is provided with an overflow passage that opens the reserve tank to the atmosphere. This overflow passage is generally formed by passing through the cap.

[0003] For example, in the reserve tank disclosed in Patent Document 1, a groove-shaped recessed overflow passage is formed from the inner surface of the cap to the outer periphery, and the opening of the overflow passage to the outside opens downward outside the filler port when the cap is attached to cover the filler port. Therefore, in the reserve tank described in Patent Document 1, heated water and steam that overflows from the tank body through the overflow passage are discharged toward the ground, preventing heated water and steam discharged from the overflow passage from falling on occupants and ensuring safety. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-91252 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When attaching a cap to the filler opening of a reservoir tank, a gasket must be inserted between the cap and the filler opening to ensure airtightness. The reservoir tank described in Patent Document 1 also uses a rubber gasket inserted between the filler opening and the cap.

[0006] In this case, in order to open the inside of the reserve tank to the atmosphere through the overflow passage, an opening must also be formed in the packing, and in the reserve tank described in Patent Document 1, an opening (communicating hole) is also formed in the packing opposite the opening of the overflow passage.

[0007] However, if an opening is formed in the packing opposite the opening of the overflow passage in this way, there is a risk that when water splashes, the liquid in the tank will pass through the connected holes (the opening in the packing and the opening in the overflow passage) and splash out.

[0008] To avoid this problem, it is possible to avoid overlapping the opening of the packing with the opening of the overflow passage, and to create a complex air passage from inside the tank body to the overflow passage. If the complex air passage is set up using the front and back of the packing, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0009] However, if the internal pressure of the tank suddenly increases, the rubber gasket may deform and stick to the cap, blocking the air passage, such as the opening of the overflow passage, which may impair the function of opening to the atmosphere, and in the worst case scenario, the lid may come off.

[0010] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to provide a reserve tank in which the liquid in the tank does not splash out when water splashes out, and in which the function of opening to the atmosphere is not impaired even when the internal pressure of the tank rises suddenly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the tank of the present invention is a reserve tank having a cap attached to a mouth portion formed in a tank body, the cap having a connecting pipe passing through the center and an overflow passage communicating the inside and outside of the tank body, a packing is interposed between the tank body and the cap, the packing has a fitting hole to be fitted with the connecting pipe and an air hole connected to the fitting hole, the air hole is formed in a position not facing the opening of the overflow passage of the packing, an outer annular rib is formed on the surface of the cap facing the packing so as to come into contact with the vicinity of the outer periphery of the packing, the outer peripheral portion of the packing is sandwiched between the outer annular rib and the tip surface of the mouth portion of the tank body, the inner peripheral portion of the packing is supported in a state of being sandwiched between the inner annular rib and an inner hose, a gap is formed between the packing and the cap within the area surrounded by the outer annular rib and the inner annular rib, The packing is deformable within the region, and within the region surrounded by the outer annular rib and the inner annular rib, point-like protrusions that suppress deformation of the packing are formed discontinuously in the circumferential direction on the surface of the cap that faces the packing. It is characterized by:

[0012] The tank (e.g., reserve tank) of the present invention is an atmospherically open reserve tank with a cap that is open to the atmosphere. Here, a packing is interposed between the tank body and the cap, and an opening is formed in the packing. This opening is formed in a position on the packing that does not face the opening of the passage (overflow passage), so a complex air passage is formed, and liquid in the tank does not splash out when water splashes.

[0013] Furthermore, in the tank of the present invention, a protrusion is formed on the surface facing the cap's gasket, and even if the internal pressure of the tank suddenly increases, this protrusion prevents the gasket from deforming, ensuring an air passage and maintaining the function of opening to the atmosphere. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tank (e.g., a reserve tank) in which the liquid in the tank does not splash out when water splashes out and the function of opening to the atmosphere is not impaired when the internal pressure of the tank rises suddenly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the surface of the cap facing the tank body. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a packing is attached to a cap. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view along line xx in FIG. 3) showing the state in which the cap is attached to the water inlet of the tank body. [Figure 5] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line yy in FIG. 3) showing a state in which deformation of the packing is suppressed by the protrusions. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the surface of the cap without a protrusion facing the tank body. [Figure 7] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line yy in FIG. 3) showing how the packing is deformed when a cap without a protrusion is attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a tank to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking a reserve tank as an example.

[0017] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the general configuration of a reserve tank 1. In this embodiment, the reserve tank 1 comprises a tank body 2 having a water inlet 3 for injecting cooling water, a cap 4 for closing the water inlet 3, and a rubber packing 5 interposed between the water inlet 3 and the cap 4.

[0018] The tank body 2 is made of, for example, polypropylene resin and is molded by, for example, blow molding. The material of the tank body 2 is not limited to polypropylene, and may be any other resin material. The molding method is also not limited to blow molding, and may be injection molding or any other molding method.

[0019] The water inlet 3 is cylindrical and provided in the center of the top surface of the tank body 2. The open end of the water inlet 3 is expanded in the radial direction to form a fitting portion for fitting a cap 4 thereto.

[0020] The cap 4, like the tank body 2, is made of, for example, polypropylene resin, and has a disk-shaped lid body 41 that covers the water inlet 3, a ring-shaped outer wall portion 42 that extends downward from the outer edge of the lid body 41 and fits into the fitting portion of the water inlet 3, a connecting pipe 43 that introduces coolant that has overflowed from the radiator into the tank body 2, and an overflow passage 44 (a passage that connects the inside and outside) that opens the tank body 2 to the atmosphere.

[0021] The connecting pipe 43 communicates between the radiator and the tank body 2 via an overflow hose, and has an outer pipe 43a formed on the outside of the cap 4 and an inner pipe 43b formed on the inside, both of which penetrate the center of the lid body 41. The outer pipe 43a on the outside of the cap 4 has a portion that extends upward from the outer surface of the cap 4 and a portion that extends horizontally partway through, and the overflow hose is connected to the tip of this horizontally extending portion. The inner pipe 43b on the inside of the cap 4 is formed to extend downward from the cap 4, and its tip is inserted into the tank body 2, where the inner hose 6 is connected.

[0022] The overflow passage 44 is for discharging heated water and steam that have overflowed from the tank body 2 to the outside of the tank body 2, and extends in the opposite direction to the outer pipe 43a of the connecting pipe 43. No part of the overflow passage 44 extends inside the cap 4, and therefore the end of the overflow passage 44 is an opening 44a on the inner surface of the lid 4. The inside and outside of the tank body 2 are connected via this overflow passage 44, and the tank body 2 is open to the atmosphere via the overflow passage 44.

[0023] Gasket 5 is a circular member made of, for example, rubber, which is press-fitted inside cap 4 (the inner surface of lid body 41) to liquid-tightly seal the gap between cap 4 and water inlet 3. Gasket 5 is formed with fitting hole 51 that fits onto inner pipe 43b of connecting pipe 43, and air hole 52 that communicates with this.

[0024] The above is the basic configuration of the reserve tank 1 of this embodiment. Next, details of the cap 4 and the structure for attaching the cap 4 to the water inlet 3 of the tank body 2 will be described.

[0025] 2 is a diagram showing the cap 4 as viewed from the tank body side. An annular rib (outer annular rib 45) that supports the outer periphery of the packing 5 and an annular rib (inner annular rib 46) that supports the inner periphery of the packing 5 are formed on the inner surface of the lid body 41 that constitutes the cap 4. Of these, the inner annular rib 46 is formed as a step portion around the inner pipe 43b that penetrates the center of the lid body 41 and protrudes toward the tank body 2 side.

[0026] Furthermore, a plurality of dot-like protrusions 47 are formed on the inner surface of the lid body 41 constituting the cap 4, facing the packing 5. In this example, four protrusions 47 are formed at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction of the lid body 41 in the area surrounded by the outer annular rib 45 and the inner annular rib 46. Note that the number of protrusions 47 may be one or more, but to ensure the desired effect, it is preferable to have multiple (two or more) protrusions.

[0027] The shape of the protrusions 47 is not limited to point-like protrusions and may be any shape. However, considering the purpose of ensuring an air passage, it is preferable that the protrusions have a shape that does not impede air flow. The height of the protrusions 47 is also arbitrary, but it is preferable that the height of the protrusions 47 is set to be equal to the height of the outer annular rib 45 and the inner annular rib 46 or slightly higher than the height of the outer annular rib 45 and the inner annular rib 46, so that the tip of the protrusion 47 touches the packing 5 under normal conditions.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the state in which the packing 5 is attached to the cap 4, and Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the state in which the cap 4 and the packing 5 are attached to the water inlet 3 of the tank body 2. Fig. 4 is a cross section taken along line xx in Fig. 3.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cap 4 is attached by fitting it onto the water inlet 3, and a packing 5 is sandwiched between the cap 4 and the tip surface 3a of the water inlet 3. At this time, the inner pipe 43b of the connecting pipe 43 is inserted into a fitting hole 51 formed in the packing 5, and the outer peripheral portion of the packing 5 is pressed against the tip surface 3a of the water inlet 3 by an outer annular rib 45, which is provided on the inner surface of the lid body 41 of the cap 4 and has small annular ribs 45a on its surface. In addition, the inner peripheral portion of the packing 5 (the portion surrounding the fitting hole 51) is supported in a sandwiched state between the inner annular rib 46 and the inner hose 6. This sandwiched state of the packing 5 maintains an airtight state.

[0030] 3, the packing 5 is attached so that the air hole 52 does not face the end of the overflow passage 44 (opening 44a on the inner surface of the lid 41). In this example, the air hole 52 is attached so that it is 180° opposite the opening 44a across the inner pipe 43b of the connecting pipe 43.

[0031] When the air hole 52 faces the opening 44a of the overflow passage 44, the inside of the tank body 2 and the overflow passage 44 are in a straight line of communication, and there is a risk that the liquid in the tank body 2 will splash out if water splashes inside the tank body 2. On the other hand, if the air hole 52 is installed so that it is positioned 180° opposite the opening 44a, the opening 44a will be blocked by the packing 5 when viewed from inside the tank body 2, and the liquid in the tank body 2 will not splash out even if water splashes.

[0032] As described above, the packing 5 is supported by the outer annular rib 45 and the inner annular rib 46, and a gap is formed between the packing 5 and the inner surface of the lid body 41 of the cap 4. By using this gap as an air flow path, the atmospheric release function is maintained even when the packing 5 is attached so that the air hole 52 is located 180° opposite to the opening 44a. That is, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the internal pressure in the tank body 2 increases, the air inside the tank body 2 first passes through the air hole 52 of the packing 5 and flows around to the back side of the packing 5. It then passes through the gap between the packing 5 and the lid body 41 and flows around to the opening 44a of the overflow passage 44. It is then released to the outside through the overflow passage 44 from the opening 44a.

[0033] However, if a complex air passage is formed using the front and back of the packing 5, if the internal pressure of the tank body 2 suddenly increases, for example, the rubber packing 5 may deform and stick to the lid body 41 of the cap 4, blocking the air passage and impairing the function of opening to the atmosphere.

[0034] For example, as shown in Figure 6, if a cap 4 without any protrusions formed on the inner surface of the lid 41 is attached to the water inlet 3 of the tank body 2, when the internal pressure of the tank body 2 rises suddenly, the rubber packing 5 will deform and the air passage (the gap between the packing 5 and the lid 41) will be blocked, as shown in Figure 7. In extreme cases, the opening 44a facing the inner surface of the lid 41 will be blocked by the packing 5. As a result, the atmospheric release function will be impaired.

[0035] In contrast, in the reserve tank 1 of this embodiment, protrusions 47 are formed on the inner surface of the lid body 41 of the cap 4, which prevents deformation of the packing 5 and ensures that the open-to-atmosphere function is maintained even if the internal pressure of the tank body 2 rises suddenly. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the point-like protrusions 47 come into contact with the packing 5 on the back side (the side facing the lid body 41) of the packing 5, preventing deformation of the packing 5. This ensures a gap (air passage) between the packing 5 and the lid body 1, and the opening 44a is not blocked by the packing 5. As a result, the open-to-atmosphere function is maintained.

[0036] As described above, in the reserve tank 1 of this embodiment, the air hole 52 of the packing 4 is formed in a position that does not face the opening 44a of the overflow passage 44, so a complex air path is formed and liquid inside the tank does not splash out when water splashes out. Also, because the cap 4 (lid body 41) has a protrusion 47 formed on the surface facing the packing, even when the internal pressure of the tank body 2 rises suddenly, this protrusion 47 prevents deformation of the packing 5, ensuring an air path and maintaining the function of opening to the atmosphere.

[0037] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 reserve tank 2 Tank body 3 Water inlet 4 Cap 5. Packing 6 Inner Hose 41 Lid 42 Outer wall 43 Connecting Pipe 43a Outer pipe 43b Inner pipe 44 Overflow Passage (Passage) 44a aperture 45 outer annular rib 46 Inner annular rib 47 Protrusion 51 Fitting hole 52 Air vent

Claims

[Claim 1] A reserve tank having a cap attached to a mouth portion formed on a tank body, The cap has a connecting pipe passing through the center thereof and an overflow passage communicating the inside and outside of the tank body, A packing is interposed between the tank body and the cap, a fitting hole into which the connecting pipe is fitted and an air hole communicating with the fitting hole are formed in the packing, the air hole being formed at a position not facing an opening of the overflow passage of the packing; An outer annular rib is formed on the surface of the cap facing the packing, and the outer periphery of the packing is sandwiched between the outer annular rib and the tip surface of the opening of the tank body. The inner circumference of the packing is supported by being sandwiched between the inner annular rib and the inner hose. a gap is formed between the packing and the cap within a region surrounded by the outer annular rib and the inner annular rib, and the packing is deformable within the region; A reserve tank characterized in that, within the area surrounded by the outer annular rib and the inner annular rib, dot-like protrusions that suppress deformation of the gasket are formed discontinuously in the circumferential direction on the surface of the cap facing the gasket.

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