DE102022117502A1 - Operating fluid container, operating fluid container arrangement, method for emptying an operating fluid container and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The technology disclosed here relates to an operating fluid container 20 for storing liquid operating fluid, with a drain connection 30 being arranged on the outside on an underside 28 and being closed by a removable closure element 40. This allows operating fluid to be drained easily. The technology disclosed here further relates to an associated resource container arrangement 10, an associated method and an associated motor vehicle.

Description

The technology disclosed here relates to a resource container for storing liquid resources, an associated resource container arrangement, an associated method and an associated motor vehicle.

Operating fluid containers are typically used to store liquid operating fluid. They can be used, for example, in motor vehicles or in other mobile or stationary units. In particular, they can be used in motor vehicles to store a liquid that enables exhaust gas aftertreatment to reduce pollutant emissions.

It has been shown that the reliable emptying of such resource containers is problematic, especially if they have been filled incorrectly or are to be serviced.

It is a preferred object of the technology disclosed herein to reduce or eliminate at least one disadvantage of a previously known solution or to propose an alternative solution. It is particularly a preferred object of the technology disclosed here to provide a resource container which is easier to handle in terms of emptying. Other preferred tasks may arise from the beneficial effects of the technology disclosed herein. The tasks are solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. The dependent claims represent preferred embodiments.

The technology disclosed here relates to a resource container for storing liquid resources, comprising (i) a wall which delimits an interior space, a bottom being formed in the wall, (ii) a filler neck for filling resources above the bottom, and (iii ) a drain socket, the drain socket being arranged on the outside on the underside and being closed by a removable closure element.

By means of such a resource container, it is possible, in addition to filling the resource container via the filler neck, to also provide a simple way to empty the resource container by removing the removable closure element and thus allowing resources to flow out via the drain nozzle. In contrast to known operating fluid containers, a special mechanism for emptying is provided. A time-consuming process of removing remaining operating fluid from the operating fluid container to completely empty it is therefore no longer necessary.

The wall in particular delimits the operating fluid container on the outside. The interior is typically the room in which equipment is stored. The underside is typically the side which, in a typical installed state, represents a floor and/or points downwards. A typical installation state, for example in a motor vehicle, is such that the resource container is in its desired position when the motor vehicle is resting normally on a flat road. The underside can typically form an at least partially flat or even inclined bottom boundary. The drain nozzle can in particular point downwards, so that it is possible to release operating fluid through the drain nozzle to a container or a drain line underneath.

According to one embodiment, the closure element is connected to the wall by means of at least one predetermined breaking point. This predetermined breaking point can be formed in particular by thinning the material. It can enable the predetermined breaking point to give way when a force is applied to the closure element, thus enabling the closure element to be released. In particular, the predetermined breaking point can be circumferentially surrounding the closure element. The closure element can be circular, for example, but can also have a different shape.

According to one embodiment, the closure element is designed as a closure element that is separate from the wall. This is typically not materially connected to the wall. In particular, it can be held on the wall in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner. Accordingly, it can be removed if necessary.

According to one embodiment, the drain connection is designed to connect a drain line. This enables the immediate connection of a drain line, which allows leaking operating fluid to be diverted to another container or disposal facility.

In particular, the drain connection can have a cylindrical outer surface and/or a cylindrical inner surface and/or a cylindrical cross section. This enables easy connection of lines, which are typically also cylindrical. However, other configurations are also possible. Deviations due to applied structures such as threads, connection geometry or profiles are possible.

The drain connection preferably has a thread and/or an SAE profile and/or a connection geometry with a Christmas tree for connecting a line. A thread allows, for example, a line or a connecting piece of a line to be screwed on. An SAE profile is typically a standardized profile that enables the connection of standardized connectors. A connection geometry with a Christmas tree typically includes one or more undercuts, which typically point towards the resource container, so that a pushed-on line or an associated connection piece holds on the drain connection.

In particular, the operating fluid container can be manufactured using an injection molding process. The drain connection can be formed in particular when carrying out the injection molding process. This allows for easy production. In principle, however, separate production and later attachment of the drain nozzle are also possible.

In particular, the resource container or the wall can be made entirely or partially from plastic. This enables simple production, low weight and high resistance to typical operating materials.

In particular, the operating fluid container can be designed as a container for a solution for exhaust gas aftertreatment, in particular urea solution. However, the storage of other resources such as water or fuel is also possible.

The technology disclosed here further relates to a resource container arrangement comprising (i) a resource container as described herein and (ii) a drain line, wherein the drain line has a connector for connecting to the drain nozzle. The connecting piece can have an opening element which completely or partially removes the closure element when the connecting piece is connected to the drain connection. Such an operating fluid container arrangement therefore includes not only an operating fluid container, but also a drain line with a specially designed connecting piece. When using the connecting piece, the closure element is preferably removed automatically, thus allowing operating fluid to flow out. This enables particularly easy handling.

• - Entfernen des Verschlusselements, und dann
• - Entleeren des Betriebsmittelbehälters durch den Ablaufstutzen.

The technology disclosed herein further relates to a method for emptying a resource container as described herein, comprising the following steps:

• - Remove the closure element, and then
• - Emptying the operating fluid container through the drain connection.

This enables the operating fluid container to be easily emptied.

In particular, a drain line for draining operating fluid can be connected to the drain connection. This enables directed delivery of the resource. Alternatively, the operating fluid can be collected, for example, in a trough arranged under the drain connection.

The drain line can in particular have a connecting piece with an opening element, which is completely or partially removed when the connecting piece is connected to the drain nozzle of the closure element. This enables a particularly simple procedure, since no additional manual step of removing the closure element is required.

In particular, the resource container can be designed such that the closure element is connected to the wall by means of a predetermined breaking point. Reference is made to the description given elsewhere herein. The opening element can in particular be designed as a knife. Such a knife can in particular be designed in such a way that it carries out a rotary movement relative to the resource container when the connecting piece rotates. During such a rotational movement, in particular a predetermined breaking point can be severed, so that the closure element is removed.

The technology disclosed here further relates to a motor vehicle which has an operating fluid container as described herein for storing an additive for exhaust gas aftertreatment. In principle, however, the resource container can also be used in other mobile or stationary units and/or it can be designed to store other resources.

If reference is made herein to a resource container in the context of a resource container arrangement, a method or a motor vehicle, it should be understood that with regard to the resource container, in principle all designs and variants described herein can be used.

Even if we are talking about an operating fluid container, operating fluid pump and the like, the terms fuel container or fuel pump as well as container for urea solution or pump for urea solution should also be disclosed.

A resource container in particular forms a storage volume for storing the resource. The resource container therefore forms the essentially fluid-tight outer shell of the storage volume and delimits the storage volume from the installation space. In the case of plastic containers, for example, this is called a bubble. In the case of steel containers, the resource container can be formed, for example, from two metal shells. According to one embodiment, the resource container can have a saddle shape, with a main chamber and a secondary chamber that are connected to one another via a connection area. However, it can also be designed without a saddle shape.

In other words, it was recognized that an operating fluid container such as an AdBlue tank or tank for urea solution can typically only be emptied during service via the filling opening. If the container needs to be removed or the wrong media has been accidentally added, emptying the container is typically necessary. There are special extraction devices or extraction devices for this, but not every workshop has them. Emptying is relatively complex and takes time because you can only vacuum through the interface of the filler pipe with a hose. Complete emptying is typically hardly possible.

For this reason, a nozzle can be injected into the lower shell of the injection molding container during production, but remains closed. If the container needs to be emptied during service, the drain connection can be opened by drilling out and closed with a blind plug after emptying. When draining, the contents of the tank can simply be collected with a canister. Emptying is better than with a suction device mentioned above.

The injected connector can be designed on the lower shell, for example, as an SAE profile or with the geometry for hose connections. Optionally, a thread can also be formed onto which an emptying device can then be screwed, which in particular cuts open the tank wall using a knife that is guided in front. This reduces leakage and contamination.

• 1: eine Betriebsmittelbehälteranordnung gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel, und
• 2: eine Betriebsmittelbehälteranordnung gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel.

The technology disclosed here will now be described with reference to the figures. Show:

• 1 : a resource container arrangement according to a first exemplary embodiment, and
• 2 : a resource container arrangement according to a second exemplary embodiment.

1 shows purely schematically a resource container arrangement 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The resource container arrangement 10 has a resource container 20. This in turn has a wall 22 which delimits an interior 25. The resource container 20 has a filler neck 26, which is arranged on the top so that the resource container 20 can be filled. In particular, an operating medium such as urea solution can be filled in, which is used for exhaust gas aftertreatment.

However, other operating fluids such as fuel can also be filled.

The operating fluid container 20 has an operating fluid pump 27 shown purely schematically. This can also have other components such as heating or filters. It is used in particular for the targeted delivery of the equipment for its intended use.

A drain connection 30 is formed on an underside 28 of the resource container 20. In the present case, this is formed in one piece with the rest of the resource container 20, in particular it is produced in a single injection molding process as a component of the resource container 20 together with the rest of the resource container 20. The drain connection 30 points downwards and is closed in the state shown by a closure element 40. In the present case, the closure element 40 is designed so that it holds via a laterally arranged thread, not shown, so that it closes the operating fluid container 20 at the bottom so that no operating fluid gets into the drain connection 30. However, by intentionally removing the closure element 40, the opening can be released so that operating fluid can be removed via the drain connection 30 and thus the operating fluid container 20 can be emptied.

A connection geometry 35 is formed on the outside of the drain connection 30, which in the present case has a Christmas tree profile. This allows a connection piece to be easily attached.

The resource container arrangement 10 also has a drain line 50. This has a connecting piece 55, which is designed to be placed on the drain connection 30. A connection is made with the connection geometry 35, so that the connection piece 55 holds reliably on the drain connection 30. This means that operating fluid can be drained in a simple manner and complex suction of the operating fluid container 20 via the filler neck 26 is not necessary.

In the following description of the in 2 The alternative exemplary embodiment shown is for features that are compared to the one in 1 illustrated first embodiment are identical and/or at least comparable in their design and/or mode of operation, the same reference numerals are used. Unless these are explained again in detail, their design and/or mode of operation corresponds to the design and/or mode of operation of the features already described above.

2 shows a resource container arrangement 10 according to a second exemplary embodiment. In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the drain connection 30 has an SAE profile 36 on the outside. This is used for the standardized connection of a connecting piece 55. Alternatively, for example, the use of a thread would also be possible.

In addition, the closure element 40 in the embodiment shown is connected to the wall 22 of the resource container 20 with a circumferential predetermined breaking point 42. This enables the closure element 40 to be easily removed by cutting it open at the predetermined breaking point. For this purpose, the connecting piece 55 in the embodiment shown has an opening element 56 in the form of a knife. When the connecting piece 55 is placed on the drain connection 30 and rotated, the opening element 56 separates the closure element 40 from the wall 22 at the predetermined breaking point 42. This enables automated opening and subsequent draining of operating fluid, thereby avoiding any problems caused by uncontrolled leaking of operating fluid become.

For reasons of readability, the expression “at least one” has been partially omitted. If a feature of the technology disclosed here is described in the singular or indefinitely (e.g. the filler neck, the drain line, etc.), the majority of them should also be disclosed at the same time (e.g. the at least one filler neck, the at least one drain line , Etc.).

The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention. Various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention and its equivalents.

Reference symbol list

10

Operating fluid container arrangement

20

Equipment container

22

wall

25

inner space

26

Filler neck

27

resource pump

28

bottom

30

Drain connection

35

Connection geometry

36

SAE profile

40

Closure element

42

Predetermined breaking point

50

Drain line

55

Connector

56

Opening element

Claims (17)

Operating fluid container (20) for storing liquid operating fluid, comprising: - a wall (22) which delimits an interior space (25), an underside (28) being formed in the wall (22), - a filler neck (26) for filling in operating fluid via the underside (28), and - a drain socket (30), the drain socket (30) being arranged on the outside on the underside (28) and being closed by a removable closure element (40). Operating fluid container (20). Claim 1 , wherein the closure element (40) is connected to the wall (22) by means of at least one predetermined breaking point (42). Operating fluid container (20). Claim 2 , wherein the predetermined breaking point (42) runs circumferentially around the closure element (40). Operating fluid container (20). Claim 2 or 3 , whereby the predetermined breaking point (42) is designed as a material taper. Operating fluid container (20). Claim 1 , wherein the closure element (40) is designed as a closure element (40) separate from the wall (22). Operating fluid container (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drain connection (30) is designed to connect a drain line (50). Operating fluid container (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drain connection (30) has a cylindrical outer surface and/or which has a cylindrical inner surface and/or a cylindrical cross section. Operating fluid container (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drain connection (30) has a thread and/or an SAE profile (36) and/or a connection geometry (35) with a Christmas tree for connecting a line. Operating fluid container (20) according to one of the preceding claims, which is produced by means of an injection molding process, wherein the drain connection (30) is also formed when the injection molding process is carried out. Operating fluid container (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating fluid container (20) or the wall (22) are entirely or partially made of plastic. Operating fluid container arrangement (10), comprising an operating fluid container (20) according to one of the preceding claims and a drain line (50), wherein the drain line (50) has a connecting piece (55) for connecting to the drain connection (30). Operating fluid container arrangement (10). Claim 11 , wherein the connecting piece (55) has an opening element (56), which completely or partially removes the closure element (40) when connecting the connecting piece (55) to the drain connection (30). Method for emptying an operating fluid container (20) according to one of Claims 1 until 10 , comprising the following steps: - removing the closure element (40), and then - emptying the operating fluid container (20) through the drain connection (30). Procedure according to Claim 13 , wherein a drain line (50) for draining operating fluid is connected to the drain connection (30). Procedure according to Claim 14 , wherein the drain line (50) has a connecting piece (55) with an opening element (56), which completely or partially removes the closure element (40) when the connecting piece (55) is connected to the drain socket (30). Procedure according to Claim 15 or resource container arrangement (10). Claim 12 , whereby the resource container (20) after Claim 2 or a claim dependent thereon, and wherein the opening element (56) is designed as a knife. Motor vehicle which has an operating fluid container (20) according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 for storing an additive for exhaust gas aftertreatment.

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