DE102018117181A1 - Liquid container for a motor vehicle and method for producing a liquid container for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Liquid container for a motor vehicle, - with a container wall (4), which delimits a storage volume (6) for holding liquid (8, 16), and - with a heating device for heating liquid (8, 16), - the container wall ( 4) has a container base (12), - with at least one liquid guiding element (14, 22, 26, 30) which is oriented at least in sections inclined relative to the container base (12).

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid container for a motor vehicle and a method for producing a liquid container for a motor vehicle.

A large number of different operating fluids are carried in modern motor vehicles and stored in fluid containers. At low ambient temperatures, such operating fluids, such as aqueous urea solution for exhaust gas aftertreatment or water, can freeze and are not immediately available to the drive system after the vehicle is started. In order to ensure that the supply systems are ready for operation as quickly as possible, operating fluid tanks are equipped with heating devices.

When thawing frozen operating fluids with such heating devices, for example in the case of heating devices and suction devices arranged on the bottom, there is the problem that a cavity forms above the heating device. Vacuuming close to the ground can create a vacuum within the cavity of the ice block, so that the heating device is partially insulated from the other ice block to be thawed. Partial or incomplete thawing of the operating fluid occurs, so that despite the heating device, reliable provision of the iced operating fluid cannot be guaranteed.

Against this background, the present invention is based on the technical problem of specifying a liquid container for a motor vehicle and a method for producing a liquid container for a motor vehicle, which do not have the disadvantages described above, or at least to a lesser extent, and in particular an improved thawing performance in the case of icing Enable operating fluids.

The technical problem described above is solved in each case by a liquid container for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 and a method for producing a liquid container for a motor vehicle according to claim 10. Further developments of the invention result from the dependent claims and the description below.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a liquid container for a motor vehicle with a container wall that limits a storage volume for holding liquid, and with a heating device for heating liquid, the container wall having a container bottom, and at least one liquid guiding element, which at least in sections is oriented inclined relative to the container bottom, is provided. The liquid guide element, which is oriented at an angle to the bottom of the container, serves to convert transverse and longitudinal movements of the liquid to be stored in the liquid container, which are induced by driving dynamics, into a vertical movement. In this way, operating fluid thawed in the area of the container bottom can be directed via the liquid guiding element in the direction of iced liquid areas in order to thaw it more quickly. The liquid guiding element therefore uses transverse and / or longitudinal movements of the liquid which are dynamic in terms of driving, which in the fully assembled state essentially correspond to horizontal liquid movements in order to guide and thaw the liquid in the direction of iced-up areas which are present on a lid area facing away from the container bottom.

When it is said in the present case that the liquid guide element is oriented inclined relative to the container bottom, this means in particular that the liquid guide element, insofar as the liquid container is mounted on a vehicle, is oriented inclined relative to a horizontal plane and a vertical plane. The container bottom can be oriented at least in sections according to the horizontal.

If it is said in the present case that liquid is to be heated, then all aggregate states are to be understood as included, that is to say heating of the liquid in the solid or iced up, liquid or gaseous state.

The liquid guiding element therefore serves in particular to superimpose a vertical liquid movement on an essentially horizontal liquid movement induced by driving dynamics, that is to say sloshing movements during driving operation, or at least partially convert horizontal sloshing movements into vertical liquid movements.

Furthermore, the liquid guiding element can serve to direct liquid in a targeted manner into volume regions of the liquid container which are at least partially separated from one another by inner wall structures or functional units. Overall, the liquid guiding element therefore improves the mixing and distribution of the liquid in the liquid container in order to bring thawed or heated liquid into contact with iced liquid volumes.

According to a further embodiment of the liquid container, it can be provided that the liquid guiding element, at least in the manner of a ramp, is viewed in a longitudinal section is curved in sections. For example, the liquid guiding element can be shaped partially or completely in the manner of an arc or in particular in the manner of a circular arc segment in order to effect the most efficient possible diversion of the relative movement of the liquid within the storage volume.

In particular, it can be provided that the liquid-guiding element, when viewed along its entire longitudinal extent, is designed to be curved or curved.

As an alternative or in addition, it can be provided that the liquid guiding element is designed in a straight line, at least in sections, in the manner of a ramp in a longitudinal section. In this way, liquid that is set in motion in terms of driving dynamics can be deflected within the storage volume in a simple manner.

In particular, it can be provided that the liquid-guiding element, viewed along its entire longitudinal extent, extends in a straight line in the manner of a ramp in cross-section.

It can be provided that the liquid-guiding element, viewed in a longitudinal section, has straight and / or curved sections.

In order to provide a cost-effective and robust design of the liquid container, the liquid guide element can be formed in one piece with the container base or be integrally connected to the container base according to a further configuration of the liquid container.

For example, the liquid guiding element can already be produced in one piece with an injection molding process using a half-shell or bottom shell of the liquid container that has the container bottom, so that the liquid guiding element is an integral part of the injection-molded half-shell or bottom shell of the liquid container that has the container bottom. An inexpensive and reliable integration of the liquid guiding element into the liquid container can thus take place.

It can be provided that the liquid guiding element is first provided separately and then connected to the bottom of the container in a cohesive manner, in particular is glued or welded. The local welding or gluing of the liquid guide element to the container bottom has the advantage that the liquid guide element can be arranged and dimensioned as required. In particular, a plurality of identical or differently dimensioned and / or oriented liquid guiding elements can be applied to the container bottom. It goes without saying that one or more liquid guiding elements of the same or different dimensions and / or orientation can also be attached to the container base as required, even in the injection molding process or in accordance with alternative manufacturing processes, such as blow molding or the like.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the liquid-guiding element is connected to the container base in a non-positive and / or positive manner, in particular by means of clips, jamming, latching or the like, in order to achieve an inexpensive and in particular releasable fastening.

According to a further embodiment, the liquid container has a baffle and / or a labyrinth geometry and / or a baffle, the baffle and / or the labyrinth geometry and / or the baffle separating volume areas of the storage volume from one another at least in sections, and the liquid guide element being set up to remove liquid from to direct one volume area to another volume area.

In this way, thawed operating fluid as a result of vehicle dynamics accelerations can be directed specifically into volume ranges or can be routed from one volume range into a further volume range, between which, in the case of constructive solutions without a fluid guiding element, only a slight fluid exchange would take place due to vehicle dynamics movements. As already described above, the inclined arrangement of the liquid guiding element promotes mixing of the operating liquid within the storage volume during vehicle movement.

In order to use the driving dynamics of a vehicle equipped with the liquid container as specifically as possible to mix the operating liquid within the storage volume, it can be provided that the liquid container has a plurality of liquid guiding elements which are arranged in pairs and / or in groups on the container bottom. The liquid guiding elements can have the same or different orientation, inclination, width, length or thickness.

A group of guide elements can, for example, starting from a container center in the direction of a side wall extending between the floor and ceiling, have successively increasing inclination angles in order to bring about a gradual deflection of the liquid from guide element to guide element. For example, a first liquid guiding element can form an angle with the bottom of the container Include 30 ° or less, while a second baffle includes an angle of 30-50 ° with the bottom of the container and a third baffle includes, for example, an angle in a range between 50 and 80 ° with the bottom of the container.

It can be provided that a first liquid guiding element is arranged in a first volume area of the storage volume and a second liquid guiding element is arranged in a second volume area of the storage volume, the volume areas being separated from one another at least in sections, and wherein the first liquid guiding element and the second liquid guiding element are spaced apart and starting from the bottom of the container are arranged to converge in a roof shape. A mutual liquid exchange between the volume areas can take place in that liquid dynamics induced by vehicle dynamics to redirect the liquid along the respective guide element from one volume area to the other volume area.

As an alternative or in addition, it can be provided that at least two liquid-guiding elements are spaced apart from one another and, starting from the container bottom, are arranged in a funnel shape. Thus, for example, liquid guiding elements can be arranged in edge regions of the liquid container, which, starting from the container bottom, extend approximately to one side wall of the container in order to guide liquids into regions in which a container ceiling opposite the container bottom and a side wall converge.

According to a further embodiment of the liquid container, it is provided that the liquid-guiding element, viewed in cross section, has a local thickening, such as a web or the like. The local thickening, for example, produces an inhomogeneous temperature distribution or an inhomogeneous cooling behavior of the liquid guiding element after it has been produced in the injection molding process, so that the cross-sectional geometry can lead to material distortion due to the inhomogeneous cooling processes. By specifying the cross-sectional geometry, a curvature of the liquid guiding element can be set, which arises due to the inhomogeneous cooling of the liquid guiding element over its cross section.

According to a further embodiment of the liquid container, it is provided that the liquid guide element has a first, fixed end with which it is attached to the bottom of the container, and the liquid guide element has a second, free end, which extends freely cantilevered into the storage volume. For example, the liquid-guiding element can be simply and inexpensively attached to one side of the container bottom.

A liquid guiding element can be fastened or molded onto a web, a rib or a projection of the container bottom.

A liquid guiding element can have a freely projecting length of 10 cm or more. Insofar as it is a rectilinearly extending liquid guiding element, the freely projecting length corresponds to the straight longitudinal extension from a first fixed end, with which the liquid guiding element is held on the container bottom, to a free end, which extends freely projecting into the storage volume of the liquid container , Insofar as it is a curved or curved liquid guide element, the freely projecting length corresponds to the arc length from a first fixed end, with which the liquid guide element is held on the container bottom, to a free end, which extends freely cantilevered into the storage volume of the liquid container is.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a liquid container for a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: injection molding a half-shell which has a container bottom of the liquid container to be produced, with at least one liquid-guiding element being formed on the container bottom during injection molding, said element being at least partially relative to the container bottom is inclined; Injection molding of another half-shell and connecting the half-shells to form a container wall that limits a storage volume for holding liquid.

The method enables a liquid container to be produced in a simple and inexpensive manner, which enables improved thawing and / or mixing of stored liquid.

In particular, it is provided that the liquid container produced is a liquid container designed according to the invention in the manner described above.

According to a further embodiment of the method, it is provided that an inhomogeneous temperature distribution when the liquid guiding element cools produces a curvature of the liquid guiding element, the inhomogeneous temperature distribution being set when the liquid guiding element cools, in particular by local thickening and / or local cooling or heating of the liquid guiding element ,

As already discussed above with regard to the liquid container, a targeted temperature control or the setting of an inhomogeneous cooling behavior, either as a result of cross-sectional jumps or by a heating or cooling device, can bring about a deformation of the liquid guiding element in order to set a curvature or an arc shape along the longitudinal extent of the liquid guiding element , If one speaks in the present case of a longitudinal extension of the liquid guide element, it is in particular the extension of the liquid guide element from a first, fixed end connected to the container bottom to a second, free end which extends freely cantilevered into the storage volume.

• 1 einen ersten erfindungsgemäßen Flüssigkeitsbehälter in einem Querschnitt;
• 2 eine Draufsicht auf einen Behälterboden eines weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Flüssigkeitsbehälters;
• 3 einen weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Flüssigkeitsbehälter in einem Querschnitt;
• 4A ein Flüssigkeitsleitelement aus 1 in einer Draufsicht;
• 4B das Flüssigkeitsleitelement aus 4A in einem Querschnitt.

The invention is described in more detail below with the aid of a drawing showing exemplary embodiments. Each shows schematically:

• 1 a first liquid container according to the invention in a cross section;
• 2 a plan view of a container bottom of a further liquid container according to the invention;
• 3 another liquid container according to the invention in a cross section;
• 4A a liquid guiding element 1 in a top view;
• 4B the liquid guiding element 4A in a cross section.

In 1 is a liquid container 2 shown for a motor vehicle. To make it easier to understand the following explanations, the figures each have a coordinate system, with a plane plane spanned by the axes X and Y in the state of the liquid container shown that is fully assembled on a vehicle 2 for example, is a substantially horizontal plane and the X and Z axes span a vertical plane.

The liquid container 2 has a container wall 4 that have a stock volume 6 for absorbing liquid 8th limited. The liquid container 2 has a heater 10 for heating liquid 8th , which can be iced up depending on the ambient conditions.

The container wall 4 has a container bottom 12 which is oriented essentially according to the horizontal plane spanned by the XY plane and which is the heating device 10 encloses.

The liquid container 2 has a plurality of liquid directing elements 14 , The liquid guiding elements 14 are intended to thaw liquid 8th to be deflected at least partially in the Z direction by liquid sloshing movements caused by driving dynamics in the X or Y direction, in order to deflect the thawed liquid in the direction of iced liquid 16 to redirect, and also to defrost them. The direction of the deflection can be recognized by the arrows assigned to the respective guide elements.

The according to the 1 Liquid guide elements shown on the left 14 are in the manner of a ramp in a longitudinal section of the respective liquid guiding element 14 considered curved executed. The right side in the 1 shown liquid guide elements 14 are in the longitudinal section of the respective guide elements shown in each case 14 executed in a straight line in the manner of a ramp. In this way, a deflection of horizontally accelerated liquid in the direction of the icy liquid can be done in a simple manner 16 can be achieved.

The liquid guiding elements 14 are in one piece with the bottom of the container 12 educated. For this purpose, the liquid guide elements 14 in the injection molding process together with the tank bottom 12 been formed.

The right-hand liquid guide elements are at different angles of inclination α1 . α2 . α2 , arranged inclined relative to the container bottom.

A respective liquid guiding element 14 each has a first, fixed end E1 with which it is attached to the bottom of the container 12 is attached, and a second, free end E2 that cantilever freely into the storage volume 6 is extended.

The liquid container 2 is here from a first half shell 13 , the bottom shell 13 that the tank bottom 12 has, and a second half-shell 15 , the top shell 15 , composed in the area of a welding zone 17 are circumferentially welded together.

In 2 is a top view of a container bottom 18 another liquid container according to the invention 20 shown, with liquid guide elements 22 over the area of the floor 18 are distributed.

3 shows a further variant of a liquid container according to the invention 24 , in order to avoid repetitions only on the differences to the above-described embodiment of 1 is received and the same features are assigned the same reference numerals.

The liquid container 24 has a first liquid guiding element 26 that in a first volume range 28 of the stock volume 6 is arranged, and a second liquid guide 30 that is in a second volume range 32 of the stock volume 6 is arranged, the volume ranges 28 . 32 here by baffles 34 . 36 are separated from one another at least in sections.

The first liquid control element 26 and the second liquid guide 30 are spaced from each other and starting from the bottom of the container 12 arranged in a tapered roof shape. In this way, liquid accelerated along the horizontal plane 8th along the liquid guide elements 26 . 30 from the first volume range 28 in the second volume range 32 be transferred or vice versa, as by the liquid guide 26 . 30 assigned arrows indicated.

The liquid guiding elements 26 and 30 have a freely projecting length L1 and L2 , each more than 10 cm.

Thawing can thus also take place in the range of one within the second volume range 32 arranged baffle 38 be favored. The baffle 38 and the bottom of the container 12 are available with heating elements 40 fitted.

Contrary to the in 3 The illustration shown is the left-hand liquid guiding elements 14 the 1 opposite the right-hand liquid guiding elements 14 the 1 spaced from one another and arranged in a funnel shape starting from the bottom of the container.

A curved or curved liquid guiding element 14 out 1 can be seen in a cross section a local thickening 42 exhibit (cf. 4A . 4B) which leads to a delay in the cooling of a liquid guiding element produced as an injection molded component, around the curved or arcuate configuration corresponding to the liquid guiding elements shown on the left 14 to reach.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

liquid container

4

container

6

storage volume

8th

liquid

10

heater

12

container bottom

13

bottom tray

14

Flüssigkeitsleitelement

15

Upper shell

16

iced liquid

17

welding zone

18

container bottom

20

liquid container

22

Flüssigkeitsleitelement

24

liquid container

26

Flüssigkeitsleitelement

28

first volume range

30

Flüssigkeitsleitelement

32

second volume range

34

baffle

36

baffle

38

swirl pot

40

heating element

42

thickening

α1

angle

α2

angle

α3

angle

L1

length

L2

length

Claims (11)

Liquid container for a motor vehicle, - with a container wall (4), which delimits a storage volume (6) for holding liquid (8, 16), and - with a heating device for heating liquid (8, 16), - the container wall ( 4) has a container base (12), characterized by - at least one liquid guide element (14, 22, 26, 30), which is oriented at least in sections inclined relative to the container base (12). Liquid container after Claim 1 , characterized in that - the liquid-guiding element (14, 22, 26, 30), viewed in the manner of a ramp in a longitudinal section, is at least partially curved and / or - the liquid-guiding element (14, 22, 26, 30) in the manner of a ramp in a longitudinal section, viewed at least in sections in a straight line is executed. Liquid container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the liquid guide element (14, 22, 26, 30) is formed in one piece with the container bottom (12) and / or is integrally connected to the container bottom (12) and / or - the liquid guide element (14, 22, 26, 30) is non-positively and / or positively connected to the container bottom (12), in particular by clipping, jamming, latching or the like. Liquid container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - a baffle (38) and / or a labyrinth geometry and / or a baffle (34, 36), - wherein the baffle (38) and / or the labyrinth geometry and / or the baffle (34 , 36) separate volume areas (28, 32) of the storage volume (6) from each other at least in sections and - the liquid guide element (26, 30) being set up to move liquid from one volume area (28, 32) to a further volume area (28, 32) to lead. Liquid container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - a plurality of liquid guide elements (14, 22, 26, 30) which are arranged in pairs and / or in groups on the container base (12). Liquid container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - a first liquid guiding element (26) is arranged in a first volume region (28) of the storage volume (6) and - a second liquid guiding element (30) is arranged in a second volume region (32) of the storage volume ( 6) is arranged, - the volume regions (28, 32) being separated from one another at least in sections, and - the first liquid guiding element (26) and the second liquid element (30) being spaced apart from one another and starting from the container bottom (12) tapering towards one another in a roof shape , Liquid container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - at least two liquid-guiding elements (14) are spaced apart from one another and, starting from the container base, are arranged in a funnel shape. Liquid container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - viewed in cross section, the liquid guide element (14) has a local thickening (42), such as a web (42) or the like. Liquid container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the liquid guide element (14, 22, 26, 30) has a first, fixed end (E1) with which it is fastened to the container bottom (12), and - the liquid guide element ( 14, 22, 26, 30) has a second, free end (E2) which extends freely cantilevered into the storage volume (6). Method for producing a liquid container for a motor vehicle with the method steps: - Injection molding of a half-shell (13) which has a container bottom (12) of the liquid container (2, 20, 24) to be produced, with at least one liquid guiding element (14, 22, 26, 30) being formed on the container bottom (12) during injection molding, which is at least partially oriented relative to the container bottom (12); - Injection molding of a further half-shell (15) and connecting the half-shells (13, 15) to form a container wall (4) which delimits a storage volume (6) for holding liquid (8, 16). Procedure according to Claim 10 , characterized in that - an inhomogeneous temperature distribution when cooling the liquid guide element (14) creates a curvature of the liquid guide element (14), the inhomogeneous temperature distribution when cooling the liquid guide element (14) in particular by - a local thickening (42) and / or - Local cooling or heating of the liquid guiding element is set.

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