EP2687479B1 - Fuel valve - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dispensing valve for dispensing a liquid in a tank of a motor vehicle, with an actuating lever for a valve device and with a downstream of the valve means arranged safety device which can be brought from a blocking position into a release position, wherein in the blocking position, the valve device regardless of the Position of the actuating lever is closed and in the release position by the actuating lever can be opened, and wherein the operative connection between the safety device and the valve device takes place without external energy.

For example, fuel dispensers for fueling motor vehicles are off EP 2 186 773 A1 known. Also known are nozzles with a false refueling protection, which is to ensure that a liquid discharge takes place only after insertion into a specially designed for this liquid tank. In simple cases, such misfuelling protection can only include different diameters of outlet pipe of the dispensing valve and filler neck of the associated tank, as is known, for example, for petrol and diesel fuel dispensing valves. A nozzle according to the preamble of the main claim is made GB 2447292 A known.

In the course of tightening emission standards, some motor vehicles require auxiliary fluids that are designed to reduce emissions and thus reduce exhaust emissions. In particular, 32.5% urea solution (known under the brand name AdBlue), which serves to lower the nitrogen oxide emissions of diesel engines, is known here.

Urea solution as an auxiliary liquid is already widespread in the truck sector, but will also be used in the future for diesel cars. The importance of misfuelling protection will thus increase, even if cars have two tanks for diesel fuel and an auxiliary fluid such as urea solution.

The 32.5% aqueous urea solution used as AdBlue is a highly concentrated saline solution. If dripping occurs with a dispensing valve for urea solution, water will appear after the evaporation of the solvent.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a nozzle of the type mentioned, which has the possibility of improved protection against faulty refueling and can be used easily in the gas station environment.

The invention solves this problem in that the nozzle additionally has a drip protection valve in the region of the outlet end, which can be opened by the fluid pressure in the outlet against a closing force, and that the closing force is variable by the safety device and in the blocking position of the safety device greater than is in their release position.

First, some terms used in the invention are explained.

A dispensing valve is a device for controlling fluid flow during a refueling operation. The requirements for the construction and operation of automatic dispensing valves for use at dispensers are described in DIN EN 13012 Doc. 2001 regulated. Terms defined there are also used in the present application.

The feature "for dispensing a liquid into a tank of a motor vehicle" expresses the suitability of the dispensing valve for such refueling operation.

The operating lever (also called the shift lever) is the device by which the user controls the valve means (also called main valve). The outlet pipe is the device through which the liquid is led into the container to be filled.

Downstream, ie in the flow direction of the liquid between the main valve or the valve device and the outlet end of the outlet pipe, a safety device is arranged, which can be brought from a blocking position into a release position. In the locked position, the valve device is closed regardless of the position of the actuating lever, so it can not take place filling. In the release position, the valve device can be actuated in a conventional manner by the actuating lever.

The purpose of this safety device is that it is only brought into the release position when the nozzle is inserted into the filler neck of the tank provided for the corresponding liquid in order to avoid incorrect refueling.

The safety device can be manually brought from the lock to the release position after the user has convinced himself that the nozzle was introduced into a suitable tank. Alternatively, it can be ensured by the design of the nozzle and associated filler neck that the safety device is automatically brought by the insertion into a suitable filler neck from the blocking position to the release position.

The operative connection between safety device and valve device takes place without external energy. External energy is any type of energy that is supplied specifically for the operation of the safety device or a power source located in the nozzle is removed. The term external energy includes in particular electrical energy, thus the dispensing valve according to the invention operates without electrical energy, thus requires no external electrical power supply or an internal electrical energy source, such as battery. The term operative connection between safety device and valve device functionally designates the actuation / influencing of the valve device by the safety device such that in the blocking position of the safety device no opening of the valve device by the actuating lever can take place.

The design of the safety device and its operative connection with the valve device without external energy, in particular electrical energy, allows use of the dispensing valve according to the invention in the immediate vicinity of other dispensing valves from which fuel is dispensed, which therefore must meet special requirements for explosion protection. For example, the invention allows a nozzle to dispense urea solution in the immediate vicinity of diesel or gasoline dispensing valves to arrange, for example, at the same pump.

On the other hand, in the prior art known nozzles for urea solution with a corresponding safety device against misfuelling need electrical energy for sensors to detect the introduction into a special so-called. AdBlue tank and thus prevent incorrect refueling. They must therefore be located away from fuel dispensers to meet explosion protection requirements. This makes a refueling process for both diesel and urea solution by the required additional shunting much more complex. For lorries used in the commercial sector, this may still be acceptable, in the car sector, such a double refueling operation with interim conversion of the vehicle would not meet with acceptance. The invention makes it possible to combine nozzles for urea solutions with those for diesel fuel in close proximity, for example in a single pump.

According to the invention, a dispensing valve additionally has a drip protection valve in the region of the outlet end. This drip-proof valve prevents any residual amounts of liquid remaining in the outlet pipe from dripping out. The drip protection valve has no own operation, for example by an operative connection with the shift lever, but can be opened by the fluid pressure in the outlet against a relatively low closing force. This low closing force is sufficient because it has no actual valve function, but only to protect against the leakage or dripping of residual amounts in the outlet pipe.

This closing force is variable by the safety device and in the locking position of the safety device greater than in the release position. In the blocking position of the safety device so that the drip protection valve provides improved protection against accidental dripping. It is preferred in this context if the closing force is variable by magnetic interaction with the safety device. On or in conjunction with the drip protection valve can thus also be arranged a magnetic device which interacts in a manner described in more detail below with a magnetic device, for example on the sliding sleeve of the safety device.

The operative connection between the safety device and the valve device takes place according to the invention preferably mechanically and / or pneumatically. Particularly preferred is a pneumatic operative connection with the aid of the so-called. Sensor line, as explained in more detail below.

The safety device is preferably designed to interact with a filler neck of a tank provided for the corresponding liquid. It is preferred by introducing the dispensing valve in the trained Tank filler neck automatically brought from the locked position to the release position. After insertion into the corresponding tank filler neck can thus be started by the operation of the operating lever with the refueling process.

The safety device can be provided, for example, to interact with the structural / mechanical design of a corresponding tank filler neck. Urea tanks in motor vehicles usually have a tank filler neck, which already closely encloses the outlet pipe of the associated nozzle directly in the entrance area. The safety device may for example have an element which is arranged displaceably in the region of the outlet pipe and is pressed by the front edge of the filler neck from the blocking to the release position, as described in more detail below.

The operative connection between safety device and valve device (main valve) takes place in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention with the aid of the sensor line of the dispensing valve.

Automatic dispensing valves have a safety shut-off, which automatically stops refueling when the tank is full. The outlet pipe has for this purpose a so-called. Sensor line, which communicates pneumatically with a arranged in the region of the main valve trip device for this main valve. The details of the design of such a safety shutdown are familiar to the expert and, for example, in EP 2 386 520 A1 disclosed. Reached in the course of a refueling the liquid level the end of the outlet pipe and thus the input of the sensor line, the pressure conditions change in the sensor line and leading to a triggering thus to a closing of the main valve.

According to the invention, it is now provided that the safety device also uses this sensor line for communication or as an operative connection with the valve device. The safety device closes the sensor line in the blocking position and opens it in the release position. The closing of the sensor line (or its outlet end) simulates a sense a full tank and thus immersion of the outlet pipe in a liquid, so that the valve device is locked. When the safety device enters the release position, it releases the sensor line or its pneumatic communication with the environment of the outlet end of the outlet pipe, thus allowing the opening of the valve device by the actuating lever. The safety device may for this purpose have a sensor line valve for closing the sensor line in the region of the outlet of the dispensing valve.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, this sensor line valve can be magnetically actuated. This means that a magnetic force (preferably using a permanent magnet) contributes to the closing and / or opening of the sensor line valve.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a sliding sleeve axially displaceable relative to the outlet pipe can be arranged in the region of the outlet, on or with which a reaction magnet is arranged or connected, which interacts with the magnetically actuated sensor line valve. The term effective magnet merely states here that the magnet is designed for a corresponding interaction and thus operative connection with the sensor line valve. According to the invention, such a magnet can also be provided on or in the region of the sensor line valve. It can either be provided exclusively on the sensor line valve or exclusively in the region of this sliding sleeve one or more magnets which cooperate with a magnetizable material of the corresponding counter-element (sliding sleeve or sensor line valve) such as iron or iron alloys. However, it is preferred if corresponding magnets are arranged both on the sliding sleeve and on the sensor line valve.

The sliding sleeve can be displaced automatically by the insertion of the dispensing valve in a trained Tankeinfühlstutzen from a blocking position to a release position. This displacement of the sliding sleeve then causes a magnetic opening of the Fühlerleitungsventils, so that after insertion into the appropriately designed Tankeinfühlstutzen the nozzle opened by the operating lever and the refueling process can be started.

The dispensing valve according to the invention may additionally comprise a gas suction device, as it is known in principle from the prior art. Since ammonia can form as a result of the decomposition of urea, such a gas suction device can contribute to the prevention or reduction of odor nuisance when refueling with urea solution.

The invention thus also relates to a dispensing valve according to the invention, which is designed to dispense urea solution.

Another object of the invention is a dispenser for combined delivery of fuels and urea solution, which has at least one dispensing valve for dispensing fuel (in particular diesel fuel). According to the invention, it also has at least one dispensing valve according to the invention for dispensing urea solution. Such a dispenser allows convenient simultaneous or immediately consecutive refueling with fuel, especially diesel fuel, and urea solution. An interim maneuvering of the motor vehicle is not required. The design of the dispensing valve according to the invention for dispensing urea solution without the supply of external energy, in particular electrical energy, allows its use in the immediate vicinity of a dispenser for dispensing fuels.

Fig. 1

Ein Schnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Zapfventil;

Fig. 2, 3

Vergrößerte Ausschnitte aus der Figur 1 mit der Sicherheitseinrichtung in der Sperrstellung;

Fig. 4, 5

Vergrößerte Ausschnitte aus der Figur 1 mit der Sicherheitseinrichtung in Freigabestellung;

Fig. 6, 7, 8

Das Auslaufende eines erfindungsgemäßen Zapfventils eingeführt in unterschiedliche Tankeinfüllstutzen.

An embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawing. Show:

Fig. 1

A section through a dispensing valve according to the invention;

Fig. 2, 3rd

Enlarged excerpts from the FIG. 1 with the safety device in the locked position;

Fig. 4, 5

Enlarged excerpts from the FIG. 1 with the safety device in release position;

Fig. 6, 7, 8

The outlet end of a dispensing valve according to the invention introduced into different tank filler neck.

An inventive bleed valve (colloquially also called fuel nozzle) has a valve housing 1, a connected to a hose, not shown, inlet 2 for liquid, an outlet pipe 3 and a shift lever 4. The shift lever 4 operated in known and, for example in EP 2 386 520 A1 described manner, the valve device or the main valve of the dispensing valve. A sensor line 5 communicates pneumatically with the surroundings of the outlet end of the outlet pipe 3 and can thus effect a full tank shutdown in a conventional manner and described in said EP document.

In FIG. 1 is the outlet end of the outlet pipe 3 inserted into the tank neck 6 of a urea tank of a car. This is designed so that it already closely surrounds the outlet pipe immediately in the region of the beginning of the Einfüllstützens, as in FIG. 1 shown.

Structure and function of the safety device according to the invention are particularly apparent from the Figures 2-5 , Around the outer circumference of the outlet pipe 3, a sliding sleeve 7 is arranged in the region of the outlet end. The sliding sleeve 7 is of a compression spring 8 in the in FIG. 2 shown biased position in which they are in an axial end position in the direction of the outlet end of the Outlet pipe 3 to be located. On the sliding sleeve 7, an annular active magnet 9 is arranged.

The sensor line 5 is closed in the region of the outlet end of the outlet pipe 3 by means of a sensor line valve 10 which is biased by a compression spring 11 in its closed position. The sensor line valve 10 also includes a magnet 12. From the valve seat of the sensor line valve 10 downstream of the discharge end of the discharge pipe 3, there extends a sensor line section 13 which can communicate with the upstream part of the sensor line 5 when the sensor line valve 10 is open. The terms upstream and downstream always refer to the flow direction of the liquid in the outlet pipe. 3

In the region of the outlet end of the outlet pipe 3, a drip protection valve 14 is further arranged. On the valve rod 15, a compression spring 16 is arranged, which biases the drip protection valve 14 with little force in the closed position. In this closed position, the valve seal 17 bears against the mating surface of the associated valve seat 18 and thus prevents dripping of residual quantities of liquid present in the outlet pipe 3.

In the in FIG. 2 illustrated closed position of the safety device and the associated sliding sleeve 7, the closing force of the drip protection valve 14 is reinforced by the interaction of the ring magnet 9 of the sliding sleeve 7 with the magnet 19 of the drip protection valve 14. The magnets 9, 19 attract each other and thus exert an additional closing force on the drip protection valve 14 off.

If the dispensing valve according to the invention is introduced into an associated tank filler neck 6, the annular end face 20 of the sliding sleeve 7 abuts against the corresponding counter surface of the filler neck 6 and the sliding sleeve 7 is moved from the in FIG. 2 illustrated blocking position in the in FIG. 4 shown release position against the pressure of the spring 8 shifted. In this position, the upstream end of the sliding sleeve 7 abuts against an indicated at 23 stop. With the sliding sleeve 7 and the active magnet 9 is displaced axially accordingly. As a result of this axial displacement, the active magnet 9 gets closer to the magnet 12 of the sensor line valve 10 and attracts it. By this magnetic force, the sensor line valve 10 is opened against the closing force of the spring 11 and takes in the FIGS. 4 and 5 shown opened position. The sensor line 5 can now communicate with the corresponding section 13. In this release position of the safety device and the sensor line valve 10 causes an actuation of the shift lever 4 in a conventional manner opening of the main valve and a start of refueling operation.

By moving the magnet 9 on the sliding sleeve 7 of the in FIG. 2 shown blocking position in the in FIG. 4 shown release position, this ring magnet 9 further away from the magnet 19 of the drip protection valve 14, so that the closing force of the drip protection valve 14 is reduced and substantially only applied by the spring 16. Even a slight fluid pressure in the outlet pipe 3 can therefore open the drip protection valve 14 against the force of the spring 16. The fueling process can be performed.

The refueling operation can be terminated in the usual way by releasing or unlocking the operating lever 4. If the tank is largely filled, the end of the outlet pipe 3 and thus also the portion 13 of the sensor line immersed in liquid. The occurring pressure difference causes pneumatically in conventional and for example in EP 2 386 520 A1 described manner, a shutdown of the main valve and thus a termination of the refueling process.

The refueling process is also terminated, the dispensing valve should be pulled out of the filler neck 6 and the sliding sleeve 7 again from the release position of Figure 4 by means of the spring 8 back into the locked position of FIG. 2 be pushed. In this case, the attraction force of the magnet 9 on the magnet 12 of the sensor line valve 10 decreases to such an extent that the spring 11 closes the sensor line valve 10 again. This causes a termination of the refueling operation in the same way as a dipping of the outlet pipe 3 in the liquid level.

In the course of refueling gas escaping gases can return the nozzle in the usual way by a indicated at 21 Gasabsaugkanal.

FIG. 6 shows schematically and in a section of a nozzle according to the invention introduced into a conventional tank filler neck of a truck tank for urea solution. It can be seen that here also a displacement of the sliding sleeve 7 from the locking into the release position is carried out by abutting the end face 20 of the sliding sleeve 7 at a correspondingly narrow area of the filler neck. Truck filler neck for urea solution In the prior art, sensor magnets 22, which are intended to cooperate with a corresponding magnetic sensor of a prior art urea-tapping valve, are frequently used. This is usually powered by electrical energy. It can be seen that these magnets 22 are arranged at a considerable distance, in particular from the ring magnet 9 and the magnet 12 of the sensor line valve 10, so that they do not disturb their corresponding interaction.

The FIGS. 7 and 8th show the situation when a nozzle according to the invention accidentally in a tank filler neck for unleaded gasoline ( Fig. 7 ) or for diesel fuel ( Fig. 8 ) is introduced. The sliding sleeve 7 remains in any case in the blocking position, so that by means of the operating lever 4 no refueling operation can take place.

Claims (12)

1. Filling nozzle for dispensing a fluid into a tank of a motor vehicle, said filling nozzle comprising an actuating lever (4) for a valve device and comprising a safety device (7, 10) which is arranged downstream of the valve device and can be moved from a blocking position into a release position, in the blocking position the valve device being closed irrespective of the position of the actuating lever (4), and in the release position it being possible to open the valve device by means of the actuating lever (4), and the safety device (7, 10) and valve device being operatively connected without external energy, characterised in that said filling nozzle additionally comprises, in the region of the outlet end, a drip prevention valve (14) which, as a result of the fluid pressure in the outlet, can be opened counter to a closure force, and in that the closure force can be varied by the safety device (7, 10) and is greater in the blocking position of the safety device than in the release position thereof.
2. Filling nozzle according to claim 1, characterised in that the safety device (7, 10) and valve device are operatively connected in a mechanical and/or pneumatic manner.
3. Filling nozzle according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the safety device (7, 10) is designed to interact with a tank filler neck (6) and can be moved from the blocking position into the release position as a result of or after the insertion of the filling nozzle into a tank filler neck (6) designed therefor.
4. Filling nozzle according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said filling nozzle comprises a sensor line (5, 13) for detecting a fluid level reaching the outlet end of the filling nozzle, and in that the safety device (7, 10) closes the sensor line in the blocking position and opens the sensor line in the release position.
5. Filling nozzle according to claim 4, characterised in that the safety device (7, 10) has a sensor-line valve (10) for closing the sensor line (5) in the region of the outlet of the filling nozzle.
6. Filling nozzle according to claim 5, characterised in that the sensor line valve (10) is magnetically actuatable.
7. Filling nozzle according to claim 6, characterised in that said filling nozzle comprises, in the region of the outlet, an axially displaceable sliding sleeve (7), an operative magnet (9), which interacts with the magnetically actuatable sensor line valve (10), being arranged on the sliding sleeve (7).
8. Filling nozzle according to claim 7, characterised in that the sliding sleeve (7) can be displaced from a blocking position into a release position as a result of the insertion of the filling nozzle into a tank filler neck (6) designed therefor.
9. Filling nozzle according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the closure force of the drip prevention valve (14) can be varied by magnetic interaction with the safety device (7, 10).
10. Filling nozzle according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that said filling nozzle additionally comprises a gas extraction device (21).
11. Filling nozzle according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that said filling nozzle is designed for dispensing urea solution.
12. Filling pump for the combined dispensing of fuels and urea solution, said filling pump comprising at least one filling nozzle for dispensing fuel, characterised in that said filling pump comprises at least one filling nozzle according to claim 11 for dispensing urea solution.

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