EP2235339A1

EP2235339A1 - Tank removal system

Info

Publication number: EP2235339A1
Application number: EP08862914A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Wildegger
Original assignee: DBK David and Baader GmbH
Current assignee: DBK David and Baader GmbH
Priority date: 2007-12-19
Filing date: 2008-11-26
Publication date: 2010-10-06
Also published as: WO2009077067A1; DE102007061808A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a tank removal device (1), comprising a cold start heater (6) for frozen fluids (11) from a motor vehicle tank system having at least one primary tank (2), at least one heat emission element (13, 27, 33), which is connected to at least one heating element (19) in a heat-conducting manner and conducts the heat produced in the heating element (19) into the frozen fluid (11), whereby a cold start volume (5) is melted, and to a method for removing a frozen fluid (11) from the motor vehicle tank system. In order to be able to remove the fluid (11) of the cold start volume (5) from the motor vehicle tank system, without requiring an additional ventilation device (10) or a separate removal line (20, 20'), it is provided according to the invention that the cold start volume (5) extends from a gas volume (12) above the frozen fluid (11) to the removal opening (4). The invention further relates to a method, wherein the cold start volume (5) is melted by a fluid level (O) of the frozen fluid (11) adjoining a gas volume up to a removal opening (4) of the tank system.

Description

Tank removal system

The invention relates to a tank removal system for a motor vehicle having a tank system having at least one removal opening, which has at least one main tank filled with a frozen liquid, wherein there is a gas volume above the liquid in the main tank, a cold start heater arranged in the main tank and having at least one Heating element and at least one thermally conductively connected to the heating element heat transfer element comprises, during operation, the frozen liquid is at least partially abschmelzbar, and formed with a molten liquid, the heat transfer element at least partially surrounding and melted from this cold start volume whose volume within a Kaltstartzeitraumes a corresponding volume of molten liquid to be made available to the dispensing opening.

The invention further relates to a method for withdrawing liquid from a filled to a liquid level with frozen liquid main tank of a tank system in a cold vehicle start, in which within a predetermined cold start time a predetermined cold start volume of the liquid melted in the tank system and at a removal opening of the tank system for Is made available.

With fluid systems that deliver liquid from a reservoir through conduits to a liquid consumer, there is a problem that the liquids in the tanks freeze when the ambient temperatures fall below the freezing point of the liquids to be conveyed. Thus, especially in winter solidifies the cleaning solution of the windscreen washer in the reservoir, so that the rear and windscreens can not be cleaned immediately after the cold start of the vehicle.

For this reason, antifreeze is added to the cleaning fluids of windshield or headlight washing systems in motor vehicles. However, the antifreeze lowers the freezing point of the windshield wiper water only up to about -20 ⁰ C, so that the liquid despite antifreeze at temperatures below -20 ⁰ C solidifies in the tank and the lines of the windscreen washer.

In order to reduce the nitrogen oxide emissions in the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, for example diesel engines, an exhaust gas purification according to the so-called SCR Method (Selective Catalytic Reduction: Selective catalytic reduction) are performed. In the SCR process, the nitrogen oxides in a catalyst are chemically reacted with a suitable reducing agent into the harmless substances nitrogen and water. The reducing agent used is vapor or gaseous ammonia, which is produced from an aqueous urea solution and introduced into the exhaust gas flow. The aqueous urea solution with, for example, a urea content of 32.5 wt .-% freezes at a temperature of below -11 ° C and can not be promoted to the catalyst so.

Therefore, the reservoirs of SCR systems or windscreen or headlight washers are equipped with heating systems which melt the frozen liquids in the reservoir.

In order to melt the frozen liquids with a high degree of efficiency, it is known from the prior art that the heating systems are accommodated with their heating and / or heat-emitting elements in the tank. However, since the heating capacity available and the thermal conductivity of the heating systems are finite, only a limited volume can be melted in a limited period of time. If an unlimited heating capacity were available and the heat conduction between the heating system and the frozen liquid were ideally infinitely large, then the problem would be that not the entire volume of the tank would be melted off in a certain period, but that in the environment the liquid heating system first melt and then evaporate, creating gas bubbles, which reduce the heat conduction.

In addition, temperatures of more than 60 ^° C. with aqueous urea solution lead to thermal decomposition of the urea, so that this maximum temperature at the surfaces of the heat-emitting elements must not be exceeded.

In order to melt at least one cold start volume required by a liquid user in a predetermined cold start time, the state of the art teaches that only a corresponding partial volume of the frozen liquid present in the storage container is thawed. For this purpose, DE 10 2006 027 487 A1 describes that a motor vehicle tank has a functional unit which, inter alia, consists of an inner container with an integrated electric heater. In the case of a cold start, the frozen liquid present in the inner container is first filled up with the help of the electric heater. defrosted. The thawed liquid is sucked out of the inner container via a suction line. In addition to this suction line there is another suction line, which sucks the liquid from the rest of the vehicle tank as soon as it has thawed.

Such a device is also called "tank-in-tank" system As already known from DE 10 2006 027 487 A1, in such systems the liquid is emptied out of the tank and out of the inner container via at least two removal points The fluid from the reservoir itself will usually be located at one of its deepest points, and if the electric heater were to be accommodated and a sealed volume of molten liquid were created which had no connection to the fluid level of the frozen fluid, the thawed liquid would become It must be evacuated with a separate venting valve in order to be able to suck the thawed liquid out of the frozen liquid surrounding it.

Alternatively, the electrical heating can also be provided in the upper region of the storage container such that the volume which has been melted off is in direct contact with the gas volume above the frozen liquid or the aerating device, by means of which the negative pressure arising when the liquid is sucked off can be compensated. Here, however, a second removal point is to be provided, since a volume thus melted off is cut off by the remaining, still frozen liquid in the tank from a removal opening provided in the lower region of the tank. Such a device is described in DE 20 2006 010 615 UI.

The cold start volume can also, as described in DE 10 2005 046 029 A1, be present in a second and optionally smaller additional tank, which is connected to the first tank or main tank via a possibly heatable fluid line. Such an arrangement has the same disadvantages as the "tank-in-tank" system described above, since the additional tank must be able to be ventilated.

A cold start heater, which is arranged outside the tank and also heats a part of an outer wall of the tank in addition to an external cold start volume of frozen liquid located in a pipe, is shown in DE 102004 026 866 A1. In DE 203 15 852 U1 a heated window cleaner container is disclosed. A rod-shaped heating device is arranged substantially vertically or slightly inclined in the container and protrudes into the intake of a liquid pump. Additional ventilation valves and extraction lines must be heated. The additional parts and the increased assembly costs for, among other things, their wiring make the device more expensive and make their use more difficult.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for withdrawing melted liquids from a cold start volume in a motor vehicle tank system in which a withdrawal line is sufficient for the removal, which does not have to be ventilated via an additional vent valve.

The object is achieved according to the invention for the device mentioned above in that the cold start volume extends continuously from the gas volume to the removal opening. The object is achieved in accordance with the invention by the cold start volume being continuously melted from the removal opening to the liquid level.

This simple measure makes it possible for the thawed liquid of the cold start volume and also the liquid of the remaining volume, which may have thawed at a later time, to be removed via a common removal opening without the cold start volume or the withdrawal line being ventilated via a separate ventilation device because the cold melted start volume comprises a vent channel through the frozen liquid and forms a contiguous area of molten liquid extending from the gas volume to the discharge opening.

The solution according to the invention can be further improved by various configurations which are advantageous in each case and can be combined with one another as desired. These embodiments and the advantages associated with them will be discussed below.

According to a first embodiment, the cold start volume may be located in the main tank. In this case, for example, it may essentially be arranged as a cavernous bulge in the lower region of the main tank, in which the removal opening may also be located, and be connected to a liquid-mirrored part of the cold-start volume in the form of a channel.

If the ventilation channel extends from the liquid level through the cold start volume into the area of the removal opening, a continuous molten zener region, the additional volume may also be arranged above the lower region of the storage container. The contiguous area of molten liquid may be located at the edge of the container or in its center or in an area therebetween. A suction pump can be connected directly to the removal opening or in the course of an extraction line connected to the opening.

The cold start heating or its possibly several heat-emitting elements may also comprise the heated extraction line, so that here the continuous area of molten liquid is formed and the removal opening of the tank system is at the end of the extraction line. Among other things, the shape of the heat release elements influences the resulting shapes of the cold start volume, ie the formation of a cavernous bulge, a channel-shaped ventilation channel or a differently shaped area of thawed liquid.

If the cavernous bulge and the ventilation channel can be melted via at least two separately formed heat-dissipating elements or heating elements, their combined effect as a multipartite cold-start heating is decisive for the formation of the coherent area of molten liquid.

The cold start volume may be at least partially separated from the remaining volume of the tank by horizontal or vertical partitions connected to a wall of the main tank. In this case, at least the horizontal partition wall can have at least one opening, which preferably also allows the thawed liquid to run off when the cold start heater at least partially projects into or through the opening. The partitions may consist of a thermally conductive material and be thermally conductively connected to the cold start heater.

The thermal energy can be generated electrically in the heating element or introduced by supplying hot exhaust gases or heated cooling liquids of the internal combustion engine. In this case, the heat-generating elements or the exhaust gas or the cooling liquid-conducting elements may be guided through the entire cold start heating or only in a partial area.

The use of hot exhaust gases or heated liquids from the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle avoids advantageously on the one hand another

Increasing the consumption of electrical energy as well as additional cabling and on the other hand increases the effectiveness of the motor vehicle, since waste heat that would otherwise be released into the environment is used meaningfully in the motor vehicle.

However, heated liquids, such as the cooling liquid, are only available after a certain period of operation of the internal combustion engine with a temperature necessary for melting. In the internal combustion engine resulting exhaust gases have immediately after its start a high temperature. However, the temperature of the media may be so high that the thawed liquid evaporates or thermally decomposes.

Therefore, when using hot media from the internal combustion engine, both a temperature measurement and control may be necessary. The measurement can be realized by means of temperature sensors, which are for example advantageously integrated in the cold start heater or can be provided in or on the supply lines of the hot media or admixable cold media. The temperature control is difficult because the supply of hot media may need to be controlled via valves or the media must be tempered by mixing with cooler media or otherwise cooling. In addition, the supply of media for cold start heating consuming, since the media must be routed through pipes or lines through the engine compartment.

In order to avoid such an expensive supply and temperature control, it can be advantageous, with sufficient electrical energy, to generate the heat of the cold start heater electrically. Again, the temperature of the cold start heater can be measured by temperature sensors whose signal can be used to control the cold start heating.

In this case, the use of an electrical PTC thermistor for heat generation may be advantageous, since PTC thermistors heat up only up to a predetermined limit temperature at which rather their electrical resistance increases suddenly, whereby further heating is prevented. Thus, a measurement of the temperature of the cold start heater for their control is not essential. However, temperature sensors can also be used here, for example, to detect impending icing or to determine the level in the tank system. For this purpose, the temperature sensors can also be provided in or at the KaIt starting heater, on the inside of the tank system or in the liquid. As a temperature sensor can be a cold or a thermistor or another Sensor can be used. To measure the level, sensors for pressure measurement or optical sensors can also be used.

Heat transfer elements conduct the heat from the heating element into the frozen liquid. These heat-dissipating elements can be connected to the heating element in terms of shape, force or material. It is particularly advantageous if the heat-emitting elements have a, compared to their volume, large surface area.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the heat-dissipating elements are formed in the shape of a dish. The plate-shaped heat-emitting elements may be round or have a polygonal basic shape. Also, the heat-emitting elements may be configured rod-shaped and point away in a plane perpendicular to the heating element or be star-shaped or arbitrarily aligned. These rod-shaped heat-emitting elements may have a straight basic shape, but they may also have one or more changes in direction in their course, curved or coiled. It is advantageous if as many rod-shaped heat transfer elements are provided and they extend to the edge of the cold start volume.

The heat-emitting elements may be connected in their central region with the heating element or off-center. To each other, the heat-emitting elements can be parallel or aligned as desired.

However, the heat-dissipating element of the cold start heater, and in particular of the part that melts the ventilation duct, can also be designed as a substantially cylindrical rod, which simplifies the production and installation of the duct heating. This channel heater can, like the rest of the cold start heater, be designed in its interior hollow and in particular tubular. This has the advantage that the thus configured cold start heating continues the function of the extraction line inside the main tank. The tubular heat-emitting element may be straight, curved, coiled or arbitrarily shaped and have at least one change in direction in its course.

In order to achieve a good thermal conductivity of the heat-emitting elements and the heating element not only by their geometry, it may be advantageous if the elements consist of a material with high thermal conductivity. Here, a metal, such as copper, can be used. If the liquid reacts with copper, for example, is rosic, the elements can also be made of another metal, such as stainless steel, such as Cr-Ni steel.

Essentially, the cold start volume can be arranged at least partially also in the form of an additional tank outside the storage container. In this case, the additional tank can be connected directly to the main tank on its underside, on a side part or the top. At least one removal opening in the wall of the main tank and an influence opening in the additional tank allow for a corresponding arrangement of the two tanks, a fluid-conducting connection between the tanks, in which the openings overlap at least partially.

If the auxiliary tank is arranged so that the discharge opening of the main tank is not provided in its lower portion, a pipe-shaped pipe whose upper end is connected to the discharge port may protrude into the lower portion of the main tank. With the line, the thawed liquid can be sucked, even if the tank is not filled to its maximum.

The tubular conduit can also be formed as a flexible suction hose or as a solid tube made of metal or plastic. The _. Line may be provided with heating elements and / or heat transfer surfaces or even be a heat transfer surface of the cold start heater.

If such an arrangement with additional tank, for example, lack of space in the main tank, not be possible and still want to fall back on a design with additional tank, the additional tank can also be located spatially removed or separated from the main tank. In this arrangement, a fluid line, for example a hose, fluidly connect the discharge opening of the main tank with the inflow opening of the additional tank. The line can be heated and have a separate heating element or be heated by the heating of the additional tank or the cold start heating. In particular, the cold start heater can also heat the auxiliary tank and the fluid line.

The additional tank has at least one inlet and one outlet opening and forms the tank system with the main tank and with a fluid line possibly connecting the tanks. In all the aforementioned embodiments with additional tank a contiguous area between the liquid level in the main tank and at least the discharge opening of the tank system is melted in the additional tank.

The suction pump can here be arranged either directly or in the course of the removal line in the course of the fluid line or behind the removal opening.

The removal opening of the additional tank, as well as the removal opening of the main tank, may be provided in different areas of the additional tank. If the removal opening is not located in the lower region of the additional tank, then the above-described pipe-shaped line for removing the molten liquid can also be used here.

If the additional tank should have no removal opening, the fluid line between the two tanks in their course may have a branch from which a branch line goes off. In this case, a part of the branch or the branch line forms the consumer-side removal opening. Here, the suction pump can be provided on or before the removal opening. The additional tank is here, however, optionally provided with a ventilation device.

The cold start volume can at least partially consist of the content of the heatable removal line, which can extend from the removal opening to the optionally heatable suction pump or to the liquid consumer and may optionally include the suction pump. If the cold start volume reaches to the liquid consumer, then this can, if necessary, also be heated via the cold start heater.

The various components of the device according to the invention can be combined with one another in different advantageous sequences. The order of the individual elements is described here by way of example in the direction of flow of the liquid.

Thus, it may be advantageous if the cold start heating melts a venting channel in the region between the liquid level and the cavernförrnig melted bulge of the cold start volume. The bulge is at the bottom of the main tank. In the lower part of the cold start volume opens at the removal opening the Sampling line. It may be followed by the mammalian pump, which conveys the thawed liquid to a consumer.

The cavernous bulge may also be adjacent to the liquid level. The cold start heating can then connect channel-shaped at least the lower end of this volume with the likewise melted area at the mouth of the extraction line and also produce a continuous melted area between the liquid level and the discharge opening.

If the cold start volume is essentially in the additional tank outside the main tank and the tanks are connected to one another via the heatable fluid line, the cold start heating can be arranged in the main tank so that it thaws the frozen liquid between the liquid level and the mouth of the withdrawal line, the heatable Fluid line thawed the frozen liquid between the molten area in the main tank and in the additional tank and the heater in the additional tank liquid located there. At the discharge opening of the additional tank may optionally be connected directly or via a subsequent sampling line, a pump that can pump the thawed liquid to the consumer.

If the extraction line enters into the upper area of one of the tanks and ends in its lower area, then its jacket can include part of the cold start heating and the extraction line can thaw liquid adjacent to both its interior and exterior.

Both the main tank and the additional tank can be made of metal or plastic. They can be composed of several individual parts which are welded together, riveted, glued or otherwise fluid-tightly connected to each other. The tanks can also be formed in one piece and their removal opening may optionally be provided with a resealable lid, which can be screwed on or screwed or can be clamped by means of a clip or other clamping element. The tanks may have a rectangular, round, ellipsoidal or another cross-section and be formed as a rotational body or have a cylindrical basic shape.

If the cold start heater is connected at its upper end with a closure element, such as a lid with internal or external thread, it can with accordingly on Tank to be provided screwed counter locking elements and so attached to the tank. In particular, the counter-closure element may be part of the filling opening. The cold start heating can also be different, for example, with a clamping element, attached to the tank or pressed into an opening in the wall of the tank.

Both tanks may possibly have several pressure compensation devices. For example, a vacuum valve may introduce a gas, such as air, into one of the tanks when the tank has been emptied to some degree and a predetermined vacuum has been created in the gas volume. The pressure compensation device may also be a switchable valve, which is controlled by means of a signal of a pressure sensor provided in a tank. Also, a vent of the tank system can be realized.

In the following, the invention will be explained by way of example with reference to embodiments with reference to the drawings. The different features of the embodiments can be combined independently of each other, as has already been explained in the individual advantageous embodiments.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the invention, which differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 1 by the other arrangement of the cold start volume ..;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the invention, which differs from the previous embodiments by an additional tank;

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of the invention, in which the auxiliary tank is arranged differently.

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a sixth embodiment of the invention with a projecting into the tank extraction line;

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a seventh embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of an eighth embodiment of the invention with additional tank;

9 is a schematic representation of a ninth embodiment of the invention, which essentially shows a possible embodiment of the heat-dissipating elements;

Figure 10 is a schematic representation of a tenth embodiment of the invention with respect to the heat-emitting elements.

Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of an eleventh embodiment of the invention.

First, the construction of a tank-removal system according to the invention will be described with reference to the embodiment of Figure 1. Here, the tank removal system 1 according to the invention with the main tank 2 is shown schematically. The main tank 2 has a filling opening 3 in its upper area. A removal opening 4 is located in the lower area thereof. In the region of the removal opening 4, there is the cold start volume 5 formed as a substantially hollow bulge. A portion of the cold start heater 6 is mounted in the upper wall 7 of the main tank 2 and extends into the cold start volume 5th

The main tank 2 may be made of a plastic or a metal and, as shown here, be made of one piece or even of several elements. If it is made of several elements, they can be welded together, riveted, screwed, glued or connected in any other way, so that a liquid-tight tank is formed. The main tank 2 shown here has a rectangular cross-section. However, the main tank 2 may also have a round, ellipsoidal or another cross-section and be formed as a rotational body or have a cylindrical basic shape.

The filling opening 3 here has a screw-on cap 8, with which the filling opening 3 is repeatedly opened and closed. Alternatively, instead of the shown τι ιr Δ nKinrli in Cinfi ϊlllαiti innαn wnrπαcohon be, which can also be screwed with the appropriate elements of the filling opening 3. The cold start heater 6 is inserted here through the upper wall 7 in the main tank 2. In this case, it can be sealed by sealing means, such as O-rings, optionally provided in the wall 7 and / or on the cold start heater 6. However, it is also possible, although not shown here, that the upper end 9 of the cold start heater 6 is formed as a screw-on or screw-in element, so that the cold start heater 6 or its upper end 9 can be screwed into the wall 7, if her a matching mating thread is provided. If the upper end 9 is designed as a screw-on cap, the upper end 9 of the channel heater 6 can serve as a closure cap 8. For this purpose, the filling opening 3 is to be aligned accordingly. In addition to the upper end 9 of the channel heater 6, the ventilation device 10 is shown. It can also be formed as part of the cap 8 and the upper end 9 of the channel heater 6.

The ventilation device 10 may be a vacuum valve, which admits a gas, for example the surrounding air, into the storage container 2 as soon as the liquid 11 has been taken out of the storage container 2 to a certain extent, whereby a negative pressure is created in the gas volume 12 above the liquid 11. Not shown here, but also possible, level or pressure sensors may be provided in or on the reservoir, via the signals of the ventilation device 10 may be controllable. A heat-emitting element 13 of the cold-start heater 6 is shown here in the form of a rod and projects through a liquid level O adjacent to the gas volume 12 into the lower region of the main tank 2.

The main tank heater 14 is shown here in the left portion of the liquid 11. The main tank heater 14 may generate heat by means of electrical energy or be heated by hot exhaust gases or cooling liquids from the internal combustion engine. Feeding or discharge lines 15 for the electrical energy or the hot media are shown here guided by a lateral wall 16 of the main tank 2. Their arrangement can be varied as desired.

The coiled shaped Haupttankheizvorrichtung 14 shown here can also be straight or arcuate shaped and _having also Wärrneabgabeflächen 13, which may be formed, for example plate- or rod-shaped.

The cavernous part of the cold start volume 5 is connected to a vertical partition wall 17, which is based on the lower wall 18 of the main tank 2, at least partially from the remaining volume. Main tank 2 lumens separated. In the cave-shaped part of the cold start volume 5, an additional part of the cold start heater 6 is indicated, which converts here with, for example, a PTC thermistor, the electrical energy into thermal energy. This part of the cold start heater 6 can be heated by hot gaseous or liquid media from the engine, which is not shown here. The heating elements 19 of the cold start heater 6 may be arranged in a limited area of the cold start heater 6 or may be distributed arbitrarily and in particular in the course thereof.

In the lower region of the cold start volume 5, the removal opening 4, which is connected to a heatable removal line 20, opens. As shown here, the extraction line 20 can have an electric heater or can also be heated via hot gaseous or liquid media. In the further course of the extraction line 20, a pump 21 is shown, which may also be heated.

All mentioned and shown here heaters 6 and 14 may have unrecognizable temperature sensors here, which detect a heating to temperatures in the range of boiling points of the liquids or their components, and not shown here control electronics, the heating power can be reduced. In particular, with such a structure, heating of the urea solution to temperatures in the range of 60 ^° C. or higher can be prevented, thereby preventing thermal decomposition of the urea.

Figure 2 shows a further embodiment, wherein the same reference numerals are used for elements which correspond in function and structure to the elements of the embodiment of Figure 1. For the sake of brevity, the differences to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 will be discussed.

The hollow part of the cold start volume 5 in Figure 2 is shown with the additional KaIt- starting heater 6 not in the lower part of the main tank 2, but directly below the liquid level O. The vertical partition wall 17 is based here on a horizontal partition 22, which in turn with the side wall 16 of the reservoir 2 is connected. The horizontal partition 22 may also be connected to another side wall. In the middle region of the partition wall 22, a flow opening 23 is provided, through which the rod-shaped cold start heater 6 can be performed and which preferably additionally leaves room, so that molten liquid 11 from the upper region of the cold start volume 5 along the cold start heater 6 in the direction of removal Opening 4 can flow. The partition walls 17 and 22 may consist of a thermally conductive material and connected to the cold start heater 6 thermally conductive and thus be part of the cold start heater 6.

FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment, wherein the same reference numerals are used for elements which correspond in function and structure to the elements of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 or 2. For brevity, the differences to the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 will be discussed.

In FIG. 3, the cold start volume 5 extends from the lower area of the main tank 2 to the liquid level O of the liquid 11. The vertical partition wall 17 separates the cold start volume 5 substantially over the entire height of the main tank 2 from its remaining main volume H. Only in the lower region of the partition 17, a flow opening 23 is shown through which non-frozen liquid 11 can flow. The removal line 20 is guided here by the upper wall 7 of the main tank 2 and opens at the bottom of the cold start volume 5. In addition to their transport function, the extraction line 20 also acts as a cold start 6. The area outside the main tank 2 of the extraction line 20 is here with a Heated separate heater shown. However, the cold start heater 6 can also heat the area located outside of the main tank 6, whereby an additional heating element for the extraction line 20 can be omitted. In the further course of the extraction line 20, a pump 21 is shown again. The removal opening 4 is here formed by the lower end of the projecting into the main tank 2 sampling line 20.

Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment, wherein for elements which correspond in function and structure to the elements of the embodiments of the previous figures, the same reference numerals are used. For brevity, the differences to the embodiments of the already described figures will be discussed.

FIG. 4 shows the tank removal system 1 according to the invention, the cold start volume 5 here being essentially located in an additional tank 24 outside the main tank 2. The external auxiliary tank 24 is connected to the main tank 2 via the fluid or withdrawal line 20. The removal line 20 is also guided here by the upper wall 7 in the main tank 2 and opens into its lower region, being represented by optionally secured to the wall of the main tank 2 fuse elements 18 ', which are shown as two protrusions of the lower wall 18, for example caused by ice formation displacement and possibly resulting damage can be protected. The securing elements 18 'can protect the removal line 20 in all directions which are horizontal and / or vertical in the installation situation of the main tank 2 before being displaced, but are shaped or arranged in such a way that they are at most insignificant in terms of drainage or pumping out of unfrozen liquid influence.

Again, the extraction line 20 again meets the function of the cold start heater 6. The additional tank is shown with its auxiliary tank heater 25, which is a part of the cold start heater. At the removal opening 4 of the tank system, a pump 21 is connected.

A fifth exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 5, the same reference numbers being used here again for elements which correspond in function and construction to the elements of the exemplary embodiments of the previous figures. For brevity, the differences to the embodiments of the already described figures will be discussed.

In FIG. 5, the cold start volume 5 is again shown substantially arranged in the external auxiliary tank 24 outside the main tank 2. In the region of the mouth of the extraction line 20 is the lower end of the cold start heater 6. Both the cold start heater 6 and the extraction line 20 and the auxiliary heater 25 can, as here shown separately or may also be electrically heated via a single cold start heating or heated by gaseous or liquid media from the engine. In the flow direction F behind the additional tank 24, the pump 21 is shown connected to the removal opening 4.

FIG. 6 shows a sixth exemplary embodiment, whereby the same reference numerals are used here also for elements which correspond in function and construction to the elements of the exemplary embodiments of the previous figures. For brevity, the differences to the embodiments of the already described figures will be discussed.

FIG. 6 shows the tank removal system 1 according to the invention with the main tank 2 and the removal opening 4 in its lower wall 18. The cold start volume 5 is melted by the tube-shaped cold start heater 6, which projects from below through the removal opening 4 in the main tank 2. Outside the removal opening 4, the removal line 20 is shown, which is fixedly connected to the cold start heater 6. Entnahmelei- Device 20 and removal opening 4 can also be clamped together, be connected to each other via a quick coupling or in any other way. The cold start heater 6 is here electrically heated and melts the frozen liquid in the space enclosed by it and outside on its coat from the discharge opening 4 to the liquid level O of the frozen liquid 11. In the lower region of the cold start heater 6, it has a flow opening 23, through which thawed liquid 11 can flow outside the cold start volume 5 in the direction of the removal opening 4.

In the seventh embodiment, which shows the figure 7, for elements which correspond in function and structure to the elements of the embodiments of the previous figures, the same reference numerals are also used. For brevity, the differences to the embodiments of the already described figures will be discussed.

FIG. 7 shows a similar embodiment as in FIG. 6. However, here the tubular cold start heater 6 does not have a flow opening 23 in its lower region, but rather a plurality of flow openings 23 distributed over the entire length of the cold start heater 6.

An eighth embodiment is shown in FIG. 8, whereby the same reference numerals are used here also for elements which correspond in function and construction to the elements of the embodiments of the previous figures. For brevity, the differences to the embodiments of the already described figures will be discussed.

FIG. 8 shows the tank removal system 1 according to the invention with a main tank 2 and an additional tank 24 connected to the main tank 2 via a removal line or also a fluid line 20. The removal opening 4 is located here in the fluid line 20. From the opening is a removal line 20 'from where a suction pump 21 is shown connected in its course. The cold start volume 5 is formed by three regions separately heated here: by the volume in the additional tank 24, by the volume in the fluid or withdrawal line 20 and by the channel-shaped melted volume in the main tank 2. These three separately fusible areas are here as a three-part Cold start heating shown, wherein the cold start heater depending on the embodiment may also include more or less cold start heating parts.

The further exemplary embodiments are shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 and are restricted to the substantially rod-shaped channel heater 6 and its possible exemplary embodiment. design forms, wherein the same reference numerals are used here for elements that correspond in function and structure to the elements of the embodiments of the previous figures, the same reference numerals. The other components of the cold start heaters can also be configured in the variants described here and in particular with the different heat output surfaces.

In the figure 9, the cold start heater 6 is shown with a decker-shaped upper end 26 and with three additional plate-shaped heat transfer elements 27. The heat-dissipating elements 27 point away from the cold-start heater 6 substantially perpendicularly from the rod-shaped main body 28, which has just been formed here. The heat-emitting elements 27 may be integrally formed with the main body 28 or attached to this, on or screwed or otherwise connected to this. Plate-shaped heat-emitting elements 27 may, as shown here, be connected in their central region with the base body 28 or off-center. Here, three heat-emitting elements 27 are shown, but there may also be more or fewer heat-emitting surfaces 27. At the end 29 facing away from the lid-shaped end 26, a part of the main body 28 projects out of the lowermost dish-shaped heat-dissipating surface 27.

The ceiling-shaped end 26 is shown here as a substantially rotationally symmetrical body whose disk-shaped base 30 is shown aligned substantially perpendicular to the propagation direction of the main body 28. On the outer edge of the base 30 of the conical end 26, a collar 31 is shown which is substantially perpendicular to the base 30 and points in the direction of propagation of the main body 28 of the channel heater 6. At the inner edge 32 of the collar 31, a thread is indicated, with which the channel heater 6 can be screwed onto an outside of the main tank 2 provided receptacle. If a further sealing should be necessary, then further sealing means, such as O-rings, may be present in the region of the base 30 or else in the receptacle to be provided on the main tank 2, but this is not shown here.

The cup-shaped end 26 may have in its outer region surfaces or slots which allow its rotation by means of a tool. Electrical connections or supply lines for hot media are not shown here.

FIG. 10 shows a further exemplary embodiment, wherein for elements which, in function and structure, are the elements of the exemplary embodiments of the previous figures, in particular the Figure 9 correspond, the same reference numerals are used. For the sake of brevity, the differences from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9 will be discussed.

In the figure 10, the cold start heater 6 is shown again with the ceiling-shaped upper end 26. However, no plate-shaped heat-emitting surfaces 27, but rod-shaped heat-emitting elements 33 are shown here on the basic body 28 that has just been formed. The rod-shaped heat-emitting elements 33 may be integrally formed with the base body 28 or screwed into this or otherwise connected to it. Here, the heat-emitting elements 33 are star-shaped away from the main body 28. However, they may also be arbitrary, in particular perpendicular to the main body 28 or otherwise aligned and need not be present at regular intervals, as shown here.

The heat-emitting elements 33 of FIG. 10, like the heat-emitting elements 27 of FIG. 6, may include electrical heating elements or flow through hot media.

Finally, FIG. 11 shows a further exemplary embodiment, the same reference numerals being used for elements which correspond in function and construction to the elements of the exemplary embodiments of the previous figures, in particular FIGS. 9 or 10. For brevity, the differences to the embodiments of the previous figures will be discussed.

FIG. 11 shows a basic form of the channel heater 6. The main body 28 is shown here in the form of a straight, cylindrical rod which at the same time serves as a heat-dissipating surface 13. Its diameter increases in the upper region 34. In the upper region 34, a peripheral region 35 is shown, which can receive a seal. This seal can interact with the inner wall of an opening in the main tank 2 and thus tightly close the opening through which the cold start heater 6 can be inserted into the main tank 2. This or any other sealant may also be present at other suitable locations. Instead of or in addition to the sealing means, an internal thread can also be provided here for receiving by a counter-thread provided in the wall 7, 16 and 18 of the tanks 2 and 24. Here, the upper end of the channel heater 6 is formed plate-shaped. This here so-called end plate 36 may also have unrecognizable surfaces or slots here, which assemble or disassemble the Ka Simplify heating 6 with the help of a tool. Instead of the end plate 36, the lid 26 may be located here.

Claims

claims

1. Tank removal system (1) for a motor vehicle with a at least one removal opening (4) having a tank system having at least one main tank (2) which is at least partially filled with a frozen liquid (11), wherein above the liquid (11) a gas volume (12) is located in the main tank (2), at least one cold start heater (6) arranged in the main tank and comprising at least one heating element (19) and at least one heat-dissipating element (13, 27, 33) connected to the heating element (19), by the frozen liquid (11) can be at least partially melted off in operation, and with a of molten liquid (11) formed, the heat-emitting element (13, 27, 33) at least partially surrounding and melted from this cold start volume (5) whose volume content within a cold start period, a volume to be provided to the dispensing opening (4) n corresponds to molten liquid (11), characterized in that the cold start volume (5) extends continuously from the gas volume (12) to the removal opening (4).

2. Tank removal system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cold start volume (5) in a connected to the main tank (2) and the removal opening (4) having additional tank (24).

3. Tank removal system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cold start heater (6) melts the cold start volume (5) substantially in the form of at least one cylindrical channel and the channel is straight or curved and / or has changes in direction in its course ,

4. tank removal system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cold start volume (5) in the main tank (2) forms a cavernous bulge of thawed liquid (11).

C tank removal system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that adjoin the bulge channel-shaped melted areas.

6. tank removal system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cold start volume (5) from the remaining volume of the main tank (2) by at least one partition (22, 17) is separated and the partition has at least one flow opening (23).

7. tank removal system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the partitions (22, 17) consist of a thermally conductive material and are thermally conductively connected to the cold start heater (6).

8. tank removal system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the heat-emitting element (13, 27, 33) has a substantially cylindrical base body (28).

9. tank removal system (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the base body (28) is formed substantially tubular with at least two open ends, wherein at least one end by at least one in the upper region of the tank (2, 24) provided for opening protrudes outside, where it is connected to at least one extraction line (20).

10. Tank removal system (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that at least one other end of the base body (28) extends into the lower region of the tank (2, 24).

11. Tank removal system (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the base body (28) is formed substantially tubular with at least two open ends, wherein at least one end by at least one in the lower region of the tank (2, 24) provided for opening protrudes outside, where it is connected to at least one extraction line (20).

12. Tank removal system (1) according to claim 8 or 11, characterized in that at least one other end to the liquid level (O) protrudes and the base body (28) in its lower region at least one flow opening (23).

13. tank removal system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the motor vehicle tank system comprises an additional tank (24) with a removal opening (4) which includes at least a portion of the cold start volume (4) and with the main tank (2 ) is fluidly connected directly or via a fluid line (20).

14. A method for withdrawing liquid (11) from a main tank (2) of a tank system filled to at least one liquid level (O) with at least partially frozen liquid (11) during a cold vehicle start, during which a predetermined cold start volume within a predetermined cold start time ( 5) of the liquid (11) in the tank system is melted and provided to a removal opening (4) of the tank system, characterized in that the cold start volume (5) is continuously melted from the removal opening (4) to the liquid level (O).

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the cold start volume (5) through the cold start heater (6) is removed through.

16. The method according to any one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the level and the temperature of the liquid (11) and the temperature of the heating (13) and heat-emitting elements (27) and the supplied media are measured with temperature sensors.