Vehicle reservoir tank system

Abstract

A vehicle reservoir tank includes first and second end walls, first and second side walls, upper and lower walls, and a projection. A fluid port is formed in a lower end of the first end wall. The first and second side walls extend between the first and second end walls to form a substantially rectangular configuration. The upper and lower walls extend between the first and second end walls and the first and second side walls to form a main reservoir chamber with an overflow port formed in the upper wall adjacent the second end wall. The projection extends into the main reservoir chamber from one of the lower wall and the second end wall. The projection is configured and arranged to redirect a fluid flowing into the main reservoir chamber from the fluid port in a direction away from the overflow port.

1 . A vehicle reservoir tank comprising:
 first and second end walls with a fluid port formed in a lower end of the first end wall;   first and second side walls extending between the first and second end walls to form a substantially rectangular configuration;   upper and lower walls extending between the first and second end walls and the first and second side walls to form a main reservoir chamber with an overflow port formed in the upper wall adjacent the second end wall; and   a projection extending into the main reservoir chamber from one of the lower wall and the second end wall, the projection being configured and arranged to redirect a fluid flowing into the main reservoir chamber from the fluid port in a direction away from the overflow port.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the projection extends into the main reservoir chamber from the lower wall.   
     
     
         3 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the lower wall includes a lower section extending from the first end wall and a sloped section extending upwardly from the lower section to the second end wall, and   the projection extends into the main reservoir chamber from the sloped section of the lower wall.   
     
     
         4 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the projection includes a redirecting surface extending generally perpendicular to the sloped section of the lower wall.   
     
     
         5 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the projection includes a concave transition surface interconnecting one end of the redirecting surface to an interior surface of the sloped section of the lower wall.   
     
     
         6 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the projection includes a connecting surface interconnecting another end of the redirecting surface to an interior surface of the main reservoir chamber.   
     
     
         7 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the projection is at least partially formed by a depression in one of the lower wall and the second end wall.   
     
     
         8 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the projection is disposed about halfway between a lowermost horizontal surface of the main reservoir chamber and an uppermost horizontal surface of the main reservoir chamber.   
     
     
         9 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the projection is located closer to the second end wall than the first end wall.   
     
     
         10 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the projection is located closer to the second end wall than the first end wall.   
     
     
         11 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the upper wall further includes a fill opening spaced from the overflow port with a removable cap covering the fill opening.   
     
     
         12 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the projection extends into the main reservoir chamber by an amount such that the projection overlaps the overflow port as viewed perpendicularly to the upper wall.   
     
     
         13 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the lower wall includes a lower section extending from the first end wall and a sloped section extending upwardly from the lower section to the second end wall.   
     
     
         14 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the projection includes a redirecting surface extending generally perpendicular to the sloped section of the lower wall.   
     
     
         15 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the projection extends along a majority of a width of the main reservoir chamber as measured between interior surfaces of the first and second side walls.   
     
     
         16 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 15 , wherein
 the projection is at least partially formed by a depression in one of the lower wall and the second end wall.   
     
     
         17 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the upper wall includes an anti spill chamber externally coupled to the overflow port of the main reservoir chamber to restrict fluid flowing out of the overflow port from the main reservoir chamber.   
     
     
         18 . The vehicle reservoir tank according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the upper wall includes a first substantially horizontal section extending from the first end wall, a second substantially horizontal section extending from the second end wall and a substantially vertical section extending between the first and second substantially horizontal sections to form a step-shaped configuration.