Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] This disclosure relates generally to the field of automobiles, and more particularly to reducing sloshing in steering oil reservoir in the automobiles.
BACKGROUND
[002] Conventional power steering systems employ hydraulic fluid such as oil stored in a steering reservoir, to facilitate transmission of force from the steering wheel to the steering mechanism. Effective power steering facilitates smooth turns, allowing vehicles to navigate corners effortlessly. However, the dynamic nature of vehicle operation such as acceleration, deceleration, encountering bumps along the road, or changes in direction induces sloshing of the hydraulic fluid within the steering oil reservoir. Excessive sloshing may cause the hydraulic fluid to seep, or leak through the cap of the steering oil reservoir. This leakage may lead to unintended consequences such as pressure fluctuations, and air entrainment, which may ultimately result in compromising the efficiency of the steering system.
[003] Therefore, there is a need for a device that may prevent the sloshing of the hydraulic fluid in the steering oil reservoir.
SUMMARY
[004] In an embodiment, a retrofittable anti-sloshing device is disclosed. The retrofittable anti-sloshing device may include a first end and a second end oppositely disposed to the first end. The retrofittable anti-sloshing device may include a peripheral body disposed between the first end and the second end. The peripheral body may include an inner radial surface that may further include a plurality of ribs.
[005] In an embodiment, a reservoir is disclosed. The reservoir may include an inner surface defining a reservoir storage therein. The reservoir may further include an anti-sloshing device disposed within the reservoir storage. Further, the anti-sloshing device may include a first end and a second end oppositely disposed to the first end. The retrofittable anti-sloshing device may include a peripheral body disposed between the first end and the second end. The peripheral body may include an inner radial surface that may further include a plurality of ribs.
[006] In an embodiment, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may include a reservoir. Further, the reservoir may include an inner surface defining a reservoir storage therein. The reservoir may further include an anti-sloshing device disposed within the reservoir storage. Further, the anti-sloshing device may include a first end and a second end oppositely disposed to the first end. The retrofittable anti-sloshing device may include a peripheral body disposed between the first end and the second end. The peripheral body may include an inner radial surface that may further include a plurality of ribs.
[007] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles.
[009] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a retrofittable anti-sloshing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[010] FIG. 2A illustrates a sectional view of the retrofittable anti-sloshing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[011] FIG. 2B illustrates a magnified view of a plurality of ribs in the retrofittable anti-sloshing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[012] FIG. 2C illustrates a magnified view of a curved flange in the retrofittable anti-sloshing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[013] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of a steering oil reservoir, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[014] FIG. 4A illustrates a sectional view of the steering oil reservoir tilted in the counterclockwise direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[015] FIG. 4B illustrates a sectional view of the steering oil reservoir tilted in the clockwise direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[016] FIG. 5 illustrates a process layout of a method of converting a reservoir into an anti-sloshing reservoir, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[017] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims. Additional illustrative embodiments are listed.
[018] References will now be made to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same numerals have been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to FIGs. 1- 5.
[019] As explained earlier, excessive sloshing in the steering oil reservoir may lead to unintended consequences such as pressure fluctuations, and air entrainment, which may ultimately result in compromising the efficiency of the steering system. Therefore, to mitigate the excessive sloshing, a retrofittable anti-sloshing device is disclosed. The retrofittable anti-sloshing device may be inserted within the steering oil reservoir and may be configured to reduce or prevent excessive sloshing of oil within the steering oil reservoir.
[020] Now, referring to FIG. 1, which illustrates a perspective view 100 of a retrofittable anti-sloshing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As the name suggests, the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 may be retrofitted, i.e., may be fitted or assembled in the state-of-the-art steering oil reservoirs, or steering oil reservoirs of forthcoming automobiles, or may be interchanged between the state-of-the-art steering oil reservoirs. A person skilled in the art would understand that retrofitting the anti-sloshing device 102 may not be limited to steering oil reservoirs, but may also be retrofitted in any oil reservoirs or fluid containers that experience seepage or leakage of fluid stored therein, due to excessive sloshing. Therefore, the retrofittable device may be inserted into any reservoir, to convert that reservoir into an anti-sloshing reservoir.
[021] In an embodiment, the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 may include a first end 104 and a second end 106. The second end 106 may be oppositely disposed to the first end 104. Further, the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 may include a peripheral body 108 connecting the first end 104 and the second end 106, thereby forming the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 as a hollow-cylindrical structure. In an embodiment, the peripheral body 108 may include an inner radial surface 110 and an outer radial surface 112 oppositely disposed to the inner radial surface 110. The inner radial surface 110 may indicate an inner surface area of the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102, and the outer radial surface may indicate an outer surface area of the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102. In an embodiment, the inner radial surface 110 may include a plurality of ribs 114.
[022] In an embodiment, the first end 104 may include a curved flange 116, and the second end 106 may include a ramp (illustrated as ramp 202 in FIGs 2A-2B). In an embodiment, as explained earlier, the ramp 202, the plurality of ribs 114, and the curved flange 116 may collectively reduce the sloshing of the steering fluid, when the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 may be retrofitted in the steering oil reservoir. This is explained in detail in conjunction with FIGs. 2A-4B.
[023] In an embodiment, the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 may be injection molded as a single structure, with material including but not limited to elastic material such as elastin, rubber, nylon, silicon, and the like.
[024] Now, referring to FIG. 2A, which illustrates a sectional view 200A of the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, as explained earlier, the plurality of ribs 114 may be formed on the inner radial surface 110, and disposed between the first end 104 and the second end 106. In an embodiment, the second end 106 may include a ramp 202. Further, the ramp 202 may include a ramp surface area 204. In an embodiment, the ramp surface area 204 may be inclined at a first predefined angle of inclination ?1 with the inner radial surface 110. The first predefined angle of inclination ?1 may be an acute angle, or an angle ranging between 0° - 45° measured in a counterclockwise direction from the inner radial surface 110. In an embodiment, the surface area 204 of the ramp 202 may be adjoined to a plurality of ribs 114.
[025] In an embodiment, now referring to FIG. 2B, which illustrates a magnified view 200B of the plurality of ribs 114, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As explained earlier, the plurality of ribs 114 may be disposed between the first end 104 and the second end 106. In an embodiment, each rib from the plurality of ribs 114 may include an inclined edge 206 and a perpendicular edge 208. The inclined edge 206 and the perpendicular edge 208 may be joined about a vertex, such that each rib may be formed as an obtuse-shaped triangle. In an embodiment, each inclined edge 206 may be consecutively adjoined to the perpendicular edge 208 of a successive rib to form the plurality of ribs 114. In an embodiment, the inclined edge 206 may be inclined at a second predefined angle of inclination ?2. The second predefined angle of inclination ?2 may include an angle ranging between 0° - 45° measured in a clockwise direction (or up to 135° when measured in a clockwise direction from the inner radial surface 110) from the inner radial surface 110.
[026] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 2C, which illustrates a magnified view 200C of the curved flange, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the curved flange 116 may be adjoined to the plurality of ribs 114, particularly at the portion of the plurality of ribs 114 that may terminate at the first end 104. In an embodiment, curved flange 116 may include a first end 210, a second end 212, and a curved portion 214 disposed between the first end 210 and the second end 212. The first end 210 may be adjoined to the first end 104, and the second end 212 may be positioned diametrically offset to the second end 212 by a predefined distance (d1) ranging between (D/10) to (D/3), (D) being the diameter of peripheral body 108. In an embodiment, the curved portion 214 may be defined as a semicircular portion, with a diameter equivalent to the predefined distance (d1) between the first end 210 and the second end 212.
[027] In an embodiment, the ramp 202, the plurality of ribs 114, and the curved flange 116 may be formed as a single structure using any molding process generally known in the art. Alternatively, each of the ramp 202, the plurality of ribs 114, and the curved flange 116 may be individually formed, and connected thereafter using any adhesion techniques known in the art.
[028] In an embodiment, now referring to FIG. 3, which illustrates a sectional view 300 of the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 being inserted in a steering oil reservoir 302. The steering oil reservoir 302 may include a reservoir body 308 adjoined to a cap 306. In an embodiment, the reservoir body 308 may include a neck-less type storage reservoir, or a miniature container comprising an opening portion similar to the dimension of the body of the container. In an embodiment, the reservoir body 308 may include an inner surface 304. The inner surface 304 may define a reservoir storage of the steering oil reservoir 302. Further, an oil filter 310 may be disposed within the reservoir storage.
[029] Now, during application, or after being assembled in the automobile, the steering oil reservoir 302 may be filled up to 75% of its total volumetric capacity by the steering fluid. Alternatively, the steering fluid may be filled between a maximum level and a minimum level specified in the steering oil reservoir 302 (not shown in figure). Consequently, while encountering any undesired bump or obstruction during the state of motion of the automobile, the steering fluid may be sloshed within the storage reservoir. As a result, a portion of the steering fluid may reach and leak through the cap 306 (not shown in figure) which may result in the reduction of the efficiency of the steering mechanism, as explained earlier.
[030] In an embodiment, with continued reference to FIG. 3, it may be seen that the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 may be inserted into the steering oil reservoir 302. It must be noted that the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 may be inserted within the steering oil reservoir 302 in an interference fit, i.e., the diameter of the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 may be higher than an inner radius of the steering oil reservoir 302. Therefore, the outer surface area of the 108 may be contacted or adhered to the inner surface 304 of the steering oil reservoir 302. As a result, the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 may not slide within the steering oil reservoir 302.
[031] As explained earlier, the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 may be configured to prevent the leakage of the steering fluid through the cap 306 by reducing the sloshing of the steering fluid occurring in the steering oil reservoir 302. Particularly, the ramp 202, the curved flange 116, and the plurality of ribs 114 may be configured to reduce the sloshing of the steering fluid in the steering oil reservoir 302. This is explained in detail in conjunction with FIGs. 4A-4B.
[032] Now referring to FIG. 4A, which illustrates a sectional view 400A of a steering oil reservoir tilted in a counterclockwise direction, and FIG. 4B, which illustrates a sectional view 400A of a steering oil reservoir tilted in a clockwise direction in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[033] In an embodiment, with continued reference to FIGs. 4A-4B, the steering oil reservoir 302 may be tilted in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction when the automobile experiences rolling under the state of motion. For example, the automobile may roll while experiencing turns, or when driven over potholes or speed breakers or sudden acceleration or deceleration of the automobile may result in the steering oil reservoir 302 being tilted in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction.
[034] In an embodiment, with continued reference to FIG. 4A, when the steering oil reservoir 302 may be tilted in the counterclockwise direction, the steering fluid stored therein may experience an inertial force in an opposite direction, i.e., clockwise direction. Therefore, due to the inertial force in the clockwise direction, the steering fluid may be sloshed on the peripheral body 108 onto the cap 306. Particularly, the steering fluid may be imparted with kinetic energy due to the inertial force, and thus may rapidly progress to the ramp 202, followed by the plurality of ribs 114, and the curved flange 116. Due to the inertial force, the steering fluid may also experience turbulence. Therefore, while progressing towards the cap 306, the ramp surface area 204 of the ramp 202 may be configured to streamline the flow of the steering fluid to the plurality of ribs 114. Further, the plurality of ribs 114 may be configured to restrict the rapid progression of the steering fluid. In an embodiment, the perpendicular edge 208 of each rib may be configured to reduce the kinetic energy of the steering fluid by breaking up larger sloshing waves into smaller, more manageable waves, which may reach the curved flange 116 with reduced kinetic energy. Therefore, the steering fluid may be easily maneuvered back into the reservoir storage, or to the oil filter 310. Accordingly, the steering fluid may be prevented from reaching the cap, and hence leakage from the cap 306 may be prevented.
[035] In an embodiment, with continued reference to FIG. 4B, when the steering oil reservoir 302 may be tilted in the clockwise direction the steering fluid stored therein may experience an inertial force in counterclockwise direction. In a similar fashion illustrated by FIG. 4A, the plurality of ribs 114 may be configured to restrict the rapid progression of the steering fluid and as a result, the steering fluid may reach the curved flange 116 with a reduced kinetic energy. Therefore, the steering fluid may be easily maneuvered back into the reservoir storage and the leakage from the cap 306 may be prevented.
[036] Now, referring to FIG. 5, which illustrates a process layout 500 of a method to convert a reservoir into an ant-sloshing reservoir, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At step 502, a retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 may be retrofitted into a steering oil reservoir 302. To retrofit the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 into the steering oil reservoir 302, the cap 306 may be removed from the reservoir body 308, thereby exposing the reservoir storage to the user. Further, the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 may be inserted into the reservoir storage with an interference fit, and the cap 306 may be placed on the reservoir body 308. In an embodiment, the retrofittable anti-sloshing device 102 may include a first end 104, the second end 106, the peripheral body 108, and a plurality of ribs 114 formed on an inner radial surface 110 of the peripheral body 108. The first end 104 may include a curved flange 116, and the second end 106 may include a ramp 202. The ramp 202, the plurality of ribs 114 and the curved flange 116 may be configured to prevent sloshing of the steering fluid in the steering oil reservoir 302. This is already explained in detail in conjunction with FIGs. 1-4B.
[037] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for the sake of clarity.
[038] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
[039] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
, Claims:I/We claim:

1. A retrofittable anti-sloshing device (102), comprising:
a first end (104);
a second end (106) oppositely disposed to the first end (104); and
a peripheral body (108) connecting the first end (104) and the second end (106), wherein the peripheral body (108) comprises:
an inner radial surface (110) comprising a plurality of ribs (114).

2. The retrofittable anti-sloshing device (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end (104) comprises a curved flange (116).

3. The retrofittable anti-sloshing device (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end (106) comprises a ramp(202).

4. The retrofittable anti-sloshing device (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peripheral body (108) comprises an outer radial surface (112) oppositely disposed to the inner radial surface (110).

5. A reservoir (302), comprising:
an inner surface (304) defining a reservoir storage therein; and
an anti-sloshing device (102) disposed within the reservoir storage, wherein the anti-sloshing device (102) comprises:
a first end (104);
a second end (106) oppositely disposed to the first end (104); and
a peripheral body (108) connecting the first end (104) and the second end (106), wherein the peripheral body (108) comprises:
an inner radial surface (110) comprising a plurality of ribs (114).

6. The reservoir (302) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the peripheral body (108) comprises an outer radial surface (112) oppositely disposed to the inner radial surface (110), wherein the outer radial surface (112) is in contact with the inner surface (304) of the reservoir (302).

7. The reservoir (302) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the anti-sloshing device (102) is retrofitted in an interference fit with the inner surface (304) of the reservoir (302).

8. A vehicle comprising:
a reservoir (302), comprising:
an inner surface (304) defining a reservoir storage therein; and
an anti-sloshing device (102) disposed within the reservoir storage, wherein the anti-sloshing device (102) comprises:
a first end (104);
a second end (106) oppositely disposed to the first end (104); and
a peripheral body (108) connecting the first end (104) and the second end (104), wherein the peripheral body (108) comprises:
an inner radial surface (110) comprising a plurality of ribs (114).

9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first end (104) comprises a curved flange (116).

10. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second end (106) comprises a ramp (202).

11. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the peripheral body (108) comprises an outer radial surface (112) oppositely disposed to the inner radial surface (110), wherein the outer radial surface (112) is in contact with the inner surface (304) of the reservoir (302).

12. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the anti-sloshing device (102) is retrofitted in an interference fit with the inner surface (304) of the reservoir (302).

13. A method for converting a reservoir (302) to an anti-sloshing reservoir, the method comprising:
retrofitting an anti-sloshing device (102) in the reservoir (302), the anti-sloshing device (102) comprising:
a first end (104);
a second end (106) oppositely disposed to the first end (104); and
a peripheral body (108) connecting the first end (104) and the second end (106), wherein the peripheral body (108) comprises:
an inner radial surface (110) comprising a plurality of ribs (114).

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein retrofitting the anti-sloshing device (102) comprises:
the first end (104) comprising:
a curved flange (116).

15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein retrofitting the anti-sloshing device (102) comprises:
the second end (106) comprising:
a ramp(202).

16. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein retrofitting the anti-sloshing device (102) comprises:
the peripheral body (108) comprising:
an outer radial surface (112) oppositely disposed to the inner radial surface (110).