Storage container and vehicle components using this storage container

Abstract

The present invention provides a storage container that allows for easy storage and retrieval of contents, while also offering improved heat retention, as well as vehicle components that utilize this storage container. [Solution] A container for storing liquids, solids, and other contents, comprising a bottom surface, a side wall erected from the outer edge of the bottom surface, and an upper surface having an inner surface that extends substantially horizontally and is not detachable from the upper end of the side wall, wherein the upper surface is provided with a communication hole that communicates with the inside of the container and an inclined surface that slopes from the upper surface toward the inside of the container along the entire circumference of the periphery of the communication hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage container for storing liquids and solids, and particularly to a storage container having heat retention properties for maintaining the temperature of the stored content and a vehicle member using this storage container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various forms of storage containers for storing liquids and solids are known, and various forms of storage containers having heat retention properties for maintaining the temperature of the stored content are also known. Specifically, as a heat retention structure for a storage container for storing a liquid such as oil or a solid, for example, the heat retention structure of a hot metal transport container described in Patent Document 1 is known. This heat retention structure is a hot metal transport container that receives hot metal from a blast furnace, and is a heat radiation prevention lid placed on a circular or elliptical opening of the hot metal transport container, and a through hole for the hot metal to pass through when receiving hot metal from the blast furnace is formed in the thickness direction of the heat radiation prevention lid. The shape of the through hole when viewing the heat radiation prevention lid from above is any one of circular, elliptical, and rectangular, and the minimum width of the through hole when viewing the heat radiation prevention lid from above is smaller than the maximum width of the inner wall of the opening when viewing the hot metal transport container from above. The heat radiation prevention lid is placed on the opening of the hot metal transport container.

[0003] With such a molten iron transport container, a heat-preventing lid is placed over the opening of the container, and molten iron can be received from the blast furnace into the container through through holes formed in the thickness direction of the heat-preventing lid. This reduces the resistance to heat transfer in the portion of the opening that is open to the atmosphere. When the heat-preventing lid is placed over the opening of the container, the proportion of the container that is open to the atmosphere relative to the entire opening becomes small, and molten iron can be received in this state. Consequently, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of heat dissipated from the molten iron transport container while it is waiting at the receiving position and while it is receiving the molten iron. In addition, since the heat of the molten iron transport container can be maintained at the receiving position, the temperature drop of the molten iron transport container at the receiving position is significantly reduced compared to heat retention technology that uses a lid attachment / detachment device to attach and detach a lid to the opening. This prevents a drop in the temperature of the molten iron contained in the transport container. Consequently, not only can fuel consumption in molten iron pretreatment be reduced and productivity improved, but thermal shock can also be reduced, improving the durability of the molten iron transport container.

[0004] Furthermore, transportation equipment such as four-wheeled vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, ships, and aircraft are filled with lubricating oil to lubricate or cool the various sliding or moving parts of the internal combustion engine and drive components. An oil pan, a vehicle component, is provided at the bottom of the transportation equipment to store this lubricating oil. The oil pan has the function of receiving and storing the lubricating oil dripping from the internal combustion engine.

[0005] Such oil pans are known in various forms. For example, an oil pan described in Patent Document 2 is known, comprising an oil pan body having a rectangular opening and a flange portion connected to the lower part of an internal combustion engine body having a crankshaft, a peripheral wall extending downward from the inner edge of the flange portion, and a bottom wall connected to the lower end of the peripheral wall. The bottom wall has a deep bottom portion and a shallow bottom portion provided on one side of the deep bottom portion in the direction of the crankshaft and at a higher position than the deep bottom portion, and connected to the deep bottom portion via a stepped portion. When a specified amount of oil is poured into the oil pan body, the oil level of the oil is located higher than the shallow bottom portion. The shallow bottom portion has a central bottom portion provided in the center of the shallow bottom portion in a direction intersecting the crankshaft, and raised bottom portions provided on both sides of the central bottom portion in a direction intersecting the crankshaft and raised above the central bottom portion.

[0006] With this type of oil pan, it is possible to optimize the amount of oil stored in the oil pan and the oil level, as well as reduce vibrations in the oil pan itself. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5838804 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-46530 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, in recent years, the development of electric vehicles without internal combustion engines has progressed in transportation equipment. Such electric vehicles generate less heat and require electricity to warm up quickly. Under these circumstances, there has been a demand for improvements in energy efficiency in electric vehicles. Conventional oil pans, as mentioned above, have a rectangular opening and are connected to the bottom of the internal combustion engine, and therefore do not have the function of maintaining the temperature of the oil heated by the operation of the internal combustion engine, etc. Therefore, there has been a demand for oil pans that have a heat retention function to prevent the oil temperature from dropping.

[0009] Furthermore, with conventional storage containers, removing the contents requires removing the heat-preventing lid, which increases costs because the lid must be prepared as a separate component. Additionally, the need to add a separate mechanism for removing the heat-preventing lid leads to larger transport equipment. For these reasons, it has been difficult to apply conventional storage container insulation structures to storage containers used in transport equipment.

[0010] Furthermore, conventional heat-insulating containers prevent the temperature of molten iron from dropping by providing through-holes in the heat-preventing lid and making these through-holes smaller in diameter than the container body. However, it is conceivable that the temperature of the air inside the container, which has been heated by the high-temperature molten iron, may drop when it leaks out through these through-holes. Therefore, there is a need for a container with improved heat-insulating performance.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main objective is to provide a storage container that allows for easy storage and removal of contents, and has improved heat retention performance, as well as a vehicle component using this storage container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The container according to the present invention is a container for storing liquids, solids, and has a bottom surface, a side wall erected from the outer edge of the bottom surface, and a non-removable part from the upper end of the side wall. Attached Equipped with a top surface, The upper surface has, on its inner surface facing the contents, a horizontal portion extending horizontally from the inner surface of the side wall, and an inclined portion extending inclined toward the interior of the container from the horizontal portion. The upper surface has a communication hole that communicates with the inside of the container. It is formed by opening up , The inclined surface, which is the surface of the aforementioned inclined portion, Over the entire circumference of the periphery of the aforementioned communication hole Placed , The air heated by the contents changes its flow according to the horizontal and inclined portions of the inner surface and remains inside the container, thereby preventing heat from escaping from the communication holes, and the horizontal portion is longer than the inclined portion in the horizontal cross-section. It is characterized by the following:

[0013] Furthermore, in the containment container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the communication hole be formed in the approximate center portion of the upper surface.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferable that the container according to the present invention be equipped with a means for removing the contents.

[0015] Furthermore, in the storage container according to the present invention, the removal means is preferably the communication hole.

[0016] Furthermore, in the containment container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the contents fall from above the containment container and are contained inside the containment container through the communication hole.

[0017] Furthermore, in the container according to the present invention, it is preferable that at least the side walls and the top surface among the bottom surface, the side walls, and the top surface have an insulating structure.

[0018] Furthermore, in the container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the bottom surface is formed in a circular or elliptical shape, and the side walls are curved in accordance with the shape of the outer edge of the bottom surface.

[0019] Furthermore, in the storage container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the upper surface is provided with assembly means for assembling the storage container with a mating part.

[0020] Furthermore, in the container according to the present invention, the assembly means is preferably a flange portion that extends substantially parallel to the upper surface.

[0021] Furthermore, the vehicle component according to the present invention is characterized by using the above-described storage container.

[0022] The summary of the above invention does not list all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] The storage container according to the present invention is provided with an inner surface whose upper surface is removably provided and extends horizontally, a communication hole, and an inclined surface that inclines from the upper surface toward the inside of the storage container over the entire circumference of the communication hole. Therefore, in the space above the stored item, the air warmed by the stored item rises and follows the inner surface and the inclined surface to change the flow and stays inside the storage container, preventing heat from being released from the communication hole even when the communication hole for storing the stored item inside the storage container is open, enabling long-term heat preservation and improving the heat preservation performance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] Conceptual diagram when the storage container according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the oil pan of a transportation device. [Figure 2] Perspective view of the storage container according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the absorption container according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Graph comparing the heat preservation performance of the storage containers according to the embodiments of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to each claim, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0026] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the application of a containment container according to an embodiment of the present invention to an oil pan of a transport equipment which is a vehicle component; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the containment container according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view AA in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the absorption container according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 is a graph comparing the heat retention performance of the containment container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the containment container 10 according to this embodiment is preferably used as an oil pan 10 assembled to a drive member 1 such as a motor. The drive member 1 includes, for example, a motor body 2 and a transmission 3, and the oil pan 10 is assembled below the drive member 1 to store liquids such as lubricating oil and coolant used for lubrication and cooling of the motor body 2 and transmission 3.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the container 10 according to this embodiment comprises a bottom surface 11, side walls 12 rising from the outer edge of the bottom surface 11, and a top surface 13 having an inner surface that extends substantially horizontally and is not detachably attached from the upper end of the side walls 12. The container 10 according to this embodiment is formed to be hollow so that it can contain contents such as liquids or solids inside.

[0029] Furthermore, a communication hole 21 that communicates with the inside of the storage container 10 is formed approximately in the center of the upper surface 13, and an inclined surface 22 that slopes from the outer surface of the upper surface 13 toward the inside of the storage container 10 is formed around the entire periphery of the communication hole 21.

[0030] The communication holes 21 are preferably designed appropriately to ensure reliable retrieval of the contents and heat retention performance, as described later, and it is preferable that they be formed to be as small in diameter as possible when considering the improvement of heat retention performance.

[0031] Furthermore, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 22 is preferably designed appropriately to ensure reliable retrieval of the contents and heat retention performance, for example, it is preferably formed to be between 30° and 60°.

[0032] Furthermore, the upper surface 13 is formed such that a flange portion 14 extends radially parallel to the upper surface 13 and protrudes from the side wall 12. Multiple mounting holes 15 are formed in the flange portion 14, constituting an assembly means for attaching the housing container 10 according to this embodiment to a mating part such as the motor body 2.

[0033] The bottom surface 11 is preferably formed in a circular or elliptical shape, and in the container 10 according to this embodiment, it is formed in a circular shape. As shown in Figure 3, the bottom surface 11 is preferably curved in a bowl shape so as to be convex downwards.

[0034] The side wall 12 is curved along the circumferential direction in accordance with the circular shape of the outer edge of the bottom surface 11, and this structure can increase the mechanical strength of the container 10 according to this embodiment, even if it is formed hollow.

[0035] Furthermore, the bottom surface 11, side walls 12, and top surface 13 can be formed from various conventionally known materials such as metal or synthetic resin, and it is preferable that each has an insulating structure. Suitable insulating structures include, for example, a double-layered structure for the bottom surface 11, side walls 12, and top surface 13, trapping air between them to reduce thermal conductivity through the air layer; a vacuum between the double walls to significantly suppress heat conduction and convection; and the inclusion of expanded polystyrene (EPS) or polyurethane foam within the walls or attached to the outer surface.

[0036] The inner surface 16 facing the contents C on the upper surface 13 includes a horizontal portion 17 extending horizontally from the inner surface of the side wall 12 and an inclined portion 18 extending from the horizontal portion 17 in the same inclined manner as the inclined surface 22 of the upper surface 13. The ratio of the lengths of the horizontal portion 17 to the inclined portion 18 can be appropriately selected according to the heat retention performance described later, but it is preferable that the length of the horizontal portion 17 be designed to be approximately 1 / 3 or more of the inner diameter of the container 10.

[0037] Furthermore, a horizontal portion continuous with the inclined surface 22 may be formed on the outer surface of the upper surface 13. In this case, the ratio of the horizontal portion 17 to the inclined portion 18 of the inner surface 16 and the ratio of the horizontal portion to the inclined surface 22 of the outer surface do not have to be the same.

[0038] The containment container 10 formed in this manner according to this embodiment receives the lubricating oil C, which is the contents, dripping from vehicle parts such as the motor body 2 and the transmission 3, on its upper surface 13, guides it to the communication hole 21 by the inclined surface 22 formed on the upper surface 13, and finally recovers it inside the containment container 10.

[0039] Furthermore, since the contained lubricating oil C is at a high temperature, the heat from the lubricating oil C is transferred to the air inside the container 10, and this heated air H accumulates along the inner surfaces of the side walls 12 and top surface 13. Also, since horizontal portions 17 and inclined portions 18 are formed on the inner surface 16, the heated air H remains inside the container 10 without being released to the outside through the communication holes 21. As a result, the thermal energy of the lubricating oil C is efficiently retained within the container 10, heat dissipation to the outside is suppressed, and the heat retention performance can be improved.

[0040] Furthermore, the containment container according to this embodiment may be equipped with an extraction means 40 for extracting the contents C through a communication hole 21, as shown in Figure 4. In such a containment container 10', the contents can be extracted via an extraction hose 41 inserted through the communication hole 21, through an extraction means 40 such as a pump provided outside the containment container 10'. The extracted contents are sent to the drive member 1 for purposes such as warming up the drive member 1.

[0041] Figure 5 shows data comparing the heat retention time of the storage container 10 according to this embodiment with that of a conventionally known open-topped oil pan. The heat retention time was measured when the storage container 10 according to this embodiment and the conventional oil pan were placed in an environment of -10°C, and the time it took for the contained lubricating oil to decrease from 80°C to 40°C was measured. In addition, the length of the horizontal portion of the storage container 10 according to this embodiment was formed to be 1 / 3 of the inner diameter of the storage container 10.

[0042] As is clear from Figure 5, the storage container 10 according to this embodiment has a heat retention time that is more than four times longer than that of a conventional oil pan, confirming that its heat retention performance is significantly higher than that of conventional products.

[0043] The container 10 according to this embodiment, configured in this way, can reliably collect contents falling from above through the communication holes 21 and inclined surface 22 on the upper surface 13 of the container 10. Furthermore, since the inner surface 16 of the upper surface 13 is composed of a horizontal portion 17 and an inclined portion 18, heated air H can remain inside the container 10, preventing the temperature of the contents from being released to the outside and improving heat retention performance.

[0044] In the above-described example of the containment containers 10 and 10' according to this embodiment, the case where they are applied to the oil pan of the drive member 1 has been explained. However, the application examples of the containment containers according to this embodiment are not limited to this. For example, they can be applied as containment containers that hold liquids or solids, and prevent the temperature and odor of the liquid or solid from being released to the outside through the communication holes 21. Specifically, they can be used as oil pans for internal combustion engines, oil heaters, beverage pots, baby bottles, and other heat-retaining containers. Furthermore, they can be used not only as heat-retaining containers, but also as containment containers that have an odor-preventing function for volatile substances such as kerosene and gasoline. It is clear from the description of the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1 Drive member, 2 Motor body, 3 Transmission, 10 Storage container (oil pan), 11 Bottom surface, 12 Side wall, 13 Top surface, 14 Flange, 15 Mounting hole, 16 Inner surface, 17 Horizontal section, 18 Inclined section, 21 Communication hole, 22 Inclined surface, 40 Extraction means, 41 Extraction hose, C Contents, H Heated air.

Claims

1. A container for holding liquids, solids, and other contents, It comprises a bottom surface, a side wall erected from the outer edge of the bottom surface, and a top surface that is inrequisitely attached to the upper end of the side wall, The upper surface has, on its inner surface facing the contents, a horizontal portion extending horizontally from the inner surface of the side wall, and an inclined portion extending inclined toward the interior of the container from the horizontal portion. A communication hole is formed in the upper surface, which communicates with the inside of the containment container. The inclined surface, which is the surface of the inclined portion, is arranged around the entire periphery of the communication hole. The air heated by the contents changes its flow according to the horizontal portion and the inclined portion of the inner surface and remains inside the containment container, thereby preventing heat from being released from the communication hole. A storage container characterized in that the horizontal portion is longer than the inclined portion in the horizontal cross-section.

2. In the container according to claim 1, The container is characterized in that the communication hole is formed in approximately the center portion of the upper surface.

3. In the container according to claim 1, A storage container characterized by being equipped with a means for removing the contents.

4. In the container according to claim 3, The storage container is characterized in that the removal means is the communication hole.

5. In the container according to claim 1, A storage container characterized in that the contents fall from above the storage container and are stored inside the storage container through the communication hole.

6. In the container according to claim 1, A storage container characterized in that, of the bottom surface, the side walls, and the top surface, at least the side walls and the top surface have an insulating structure.

7. In the container according to claim 6, A storage container characterized in that the bottom surface is formed in a circular or elliptical shape, and the side walls are curved in accordance with the shape of the outer edge of the bottom surface.

8. In the container according to claim 1, The above-mentioned upper surface is provided with assembly means for assembling the storage container with a mating part.

9. In the container according to claim 8, The aforementioned assembly means is a flange portion extending substantially parallel to the upper surface, characterized in that it is a storage container.

10. A vehicle component for collecting liquid dripping from vehicle parts, A vehicle component characterized by using the storage container described in claims 1 to 9.

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