EP3067312B1 - Device for emptying an urea solution container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for emptying a urea solution container into a tank having a filler neck.

In exhaust aftertreatment of automotive diesel engines, a water-clear, synthetically produced 32.5% solution of high purity urea in demineralized water is used. This application takes place in an SCR catalytic converter (Selective Catalytic Reduction), where a selective catalytic reduction reduces the emission of nitrogen oxides (NO _x ) by about 90%. The SCR process uses ammonia, which is obtained on board the vehicle from urea. The urea solution located in a separate tank is metered into the exhaust gas flow by means of a metering pump or an injector and ensures a chemical reaction in the SCR catalytic converter in which the nitrogen oxides are converted into nitrogen and hydrogen. The ratio of urea solution to diesel fuel is about 1:20 to 1:30.

For this exhaust aftertreatment process to be used, it is necessary to equip vehicles with additional tanks in which urea solution is introduced. These tanks must be refilled after the urea solution supply contained in them is low. For this purpose, the urea solution tank on a separate filler neck, which is usually arranged in the vicinity of the diesel fuel filler neck. The different filler necks for diesel fuel and urea solution are closed with a lid with different threads.

For filling a tank with urea solution, various devices for emptying a urea solution container are known in which z. B. the entire filling is screwed with a filling nozzle to a thread of the filler neck of the tank for the urea solution. Such a container is for example from the DE 20 2008 010 648 U1 known.

A disadvantage of such devices, however, is that any urea solution container, which is designed to refuel a tank for urea solution of a motor vehicle, must be equipped with such a device.

A device similar to the preamble of claim 1 is in the US 6,478,058B1 shown. However, this device is equipped with a separate vent pipe, so that it is complicated in terms of their structural design and a variety of parts must be assembled. The vent tube of this device is arranged centrally in the drain tube.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device for emptying a urea solution container in a filler neck having a tank of a motor vehicle, which can be structurally simple and attached to different urea solution containers and reused for other urea solution containers.

This object is achieved by a device with all features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

1. a) ein ein Entlüftungsrohr aufweisendes Entleerungsrohr,
2. b) ein Innenrohr, in welchem das Entleerungsrohr aufgenommen ist,
3. c) ein Außenrohr, welches federkraftbeaufschlagt auf dem Innenrohr verschiebbar gelagert ist,
4. d) eine Überwurfmutter, welche an einer ersten Anlagefläche des Innenrohres zur Anlage kommt und zum Verbinden der Vorrichtung mit dem Harnstoffbehältnis dient und
5. e) einen Dichtstopfen, der an dem der Überwurfmutter gegenüberliegendem Ende der Vorrichtung an dem Entleerungsrohr angeordnet ist.

Dabei verschließt das Außenrohr zusammen mit dem Dichtungsstopfen in einer Schließposition die Vorrichtung flüssigkeitsdicht, während nach einem Verschieben des Außenrohres auf dem Innenrohr entgegen der Federkraft ein unter Freigabe eines Flüssigkeitsdurchgangs eine Offenposition der Vorrichtung einnehmbar ist.The device according to the invention for emptying a urea solution container into a tank having a filler neck has the following features:

1. a) a drain pipe having a drain pipe,
2. b) an inner tube in which the emptying tube is received,
3. c) an outer tube which is displaceably mounted on the inner tube by spring force,
4. d) a union nut, which comes to a first contact surface of the inner tube to the plant and for connecting the device with the urea container is used and
5. e) a sealing plug, which is arranged on the union nut of the opposite end of the device to the discharge pipe.

The outer tube closes together with the sealing plug in a closed position, the device liquid-tight, while after moving the outer tube on the inner tube against the spring force on releasing a fluid passage an open position of the device is ingestible.

It is provided that the sealing plug has a sealing surface, which are connected by means of connecting webs between which passages are formed with the discharge pipe. This special embodiment of the invention serves to ensure that the sealing surface of Sealing plug in the closed position, the device of the invention seals liquid-tight, wherein between the sealing surface and the outer tube while an additional seal may be attached, which, however, may be formed integrally with the sealing plug.

In order to ensure a safe emptying of a urea solution container, the connecting webs of the sealing plug are arranged on the inner tube, that the emptying tube is supported on the connecting webs. This ensures that the emptying tube within the inner tube does not shift so that it closes the passages between the connecting webs.

By means of the device according to the invention it is now possible, with a corresponding design of the union nut, to connect the device according to the invention to a corresponding urea solution container, which serves to be attached to a filler neck of a tank in order to empty the container into the tank. It is ensured by the device according to the invention that it can be connected in a liquid-tight manner to a corresponding urea solution container in order to empty it into the tank. Thus, it is no longer necessary to design the urea solution containers themselves with a corresponding connection element, since the device can be used again and again for corresponding urea solution containers by their detachable connection by means of the union nut.

According to a first advantageous embodiment of the invention, the Federkraftbeaufschlagung is generated by a coil spring, which is arranged between the inner tube and outer tube such that it is supported on the one hand on a second abutment surface of the inner tube and on the other hand on a first abutment surface of the outer tube. This ensures that the outer tube can be moved against the spring force of the coil spring on the inner tube. Thus, it is ensured by the coil spring that the device according to the invention is closed liquid-tight in a closed position, while in an open position, in which the outer tube has been displaced on the inner tube against the spring force of the coil spring, the device mounted on a urea solution container such releases that It can be transferred through the urea solution from the urea solution container in the designated tank.

The connecting webs can be provided at its the sealing surface opposite end with clips or locking elements, through which the sealing plug can be connected via corresponding Gegenclips- or counter-locking elements releasably connected to the inner tube.

If now the outer tube is transferred from the closed position against the spring force in the open position, the sealing plug remains connected to the inner tube via the connecting webs. However, it is now possible for the urea solution to be transferred through the arranged between the connecting webs passages from the urea solution container in the tank.

So that no leakage occurs during the filling process of the tank between the filler neck of the tank and the device according to the invention, it is provided that a second contact surface is formed on the outer tube, which liquid-tight can be placed on a filler neck of the tank.

Advantageously, the union nut, which rests against the first bearing surface of the inner tube, an internal thread, with which the device is connectable to an external thread of a discharge opening of a urea solution container. This makes it possible in a simple manner to connect via the two corresponding threads the device according to the invention with a corresponding urea solution container and also to solve it again, so that the device according to the invention can be used in other urea solution containers.

Furthermore, a third abutment surface of the outer tube is formed on the outer tube, on which a second union nut is supported, with which the device is connectable to the filler neck of a tank. This makes it possible to firmly connect the device with the filler neck, so that a safe emptying of the urea solution container can be ensured without a leak between the inventive device and filler neck of the tank occurs. The device according to the invention is thereby securely held together with the urea solution container connected to it at the filler neck, wherein by moving the outer tube on the inner tube against the spring force, the device from the closed to the open position can be transferred.

Advantageously, in this case, the second union nut has an internal thread, through which the device with an external thread of the filler neck of a tank is connectable.

In order to be able to set the flow rate to exactly, it can be provided that one or more of the passages arranged between the connecting webs are partially or completely closed with corresponding walls. Thus, different flow rates can be achieved by using different sealing plugs for the same urea solution containers.

This special embodiment of the invention, it is also possible that a safe venting of the urea solution container can be done so that this is emptied completely, because even then the vent tube is not closed. For this purpose, it has further proven to be advantageous that a vent hose can be connected to the vent pipe, which projects into the urea solution container, preferably up to the bottom thereof. This ensures once again that a venting and thus a complete emptying of the urea solution container is made possible.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the inner tube on a third contact surface of the inner tube, which serves as a stop for the outer tube when moving the outer tube on the inner tube in the open position of the device. This ensures that the device can be effectively transferred from its closed position to its open position after connecting the urea fluid container connected to the device to the filler neck. As soon as the outer tube has reached the third contact surface of the inner tube when the outer tube is displaced on the inner tube, further displacement is no longer possible and the open position is effectively achieved. This ensures that the corresponding urea solution containers are emptied safely and effectively completely.

Other objects, advantages, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to FIGS. All described and / or illustrated features alone or in any meaningful combination form the subject matter of the present invention, also independent of their summary in the claims or their dependency.

Figur 1:

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einer seitlichen Ansicht in Schließstellung,

Figur 2:

die Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1 in einer Schnittdarstellung entlang der Schnittebene A-A der Figur 1,

Figur 3:

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Figur 1,

Figur 4:

das Entleerungsrohr des Ausführungsbeispiels der Figuren 1 bis 3,

Figur 5a:

das Entleerungsrohr gemäß Figur 4 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von unten,

Figur 5b:

das Entleerungsrohr der Figur 4 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von oben,

Figur 6:

das Innenrohr des Ausführungsbeispiels der Figuren 1 bis 3, in dem das Entleerungsrohr gemäß Figur 4 bereits angeordnet ist,

Figur 7:

das Innenrohr gemäß Figur 6 mit daran angeordneter Überwurfmutter,

Figur 8:

das Innenrohr gemäß Figur 7 mit darauf angeordneter Spiralfeder,

Figur 9:

das Innenrohr gemäß Figur 8 mit darauf angeordneter zweiter Überwurfmutter,

Figur 10:

das Innenrohr gemäß Figur 9 mit darauf angeordnetem Außenrohr und Dichtstopfen und

Figur 11:

der Dichtstopfen des Ausführungsbeispiels der Figuren 1 bis 3 sowie 10 in einer perspektivischen Detailansicht.

Show it:

FIG. 1:

An embodiment of a device according to the invention in a lateral view in the closed position,

FIG. 2:

the device according to FIG. 1 in a sectional view along the sectional plane AA of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3:

a perspective view of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4:

the drain pipe of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 .

FIG. 5a

the drain pipe according to FIG. 4 in a perspective view from below,

FIG. 5b:

the drain pipe of the FIG. 4 in a perspective view from above,

FIG. 6:

the inner tube of the embodiment of the FIGS. 1 to 3 in which the drain pipe according to FIG. 4 already arranged,

FIG. 7:

the inner tube according to FIG. 6 with union nut arranged thereon,

FIG. 8:

the inner tube according to FIG. 7 with spiral spring arranged thereon,

FIG. 9:

the inner tube according to FIG. 8 with second cap nut arranged thereon,

FIG. 10:

the inner tube according to FIG. 9 with arranged thereon outer tube and sealing plugs and

FIG. 11:

the sealing plug of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 and 10 in a perspective detail view.

The FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 10 show an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for discharging a urea solution container into a tank having a filler neck in various views.

The FIGS. 4 to 10 show the sequential structure of the embodiment in successive steps.

Starting from the FIG. 4 in which the emptying tube 2 of the device according to the invention with the venting tube 1 contained therein is provided as the starting point for the production of the device according to the invention of this embodiment. It is in the FIGS. 5a and 5b this emptying tube 2 in two different perspective views, shown once from below and once from above. Clearly, the position of the vent tube 1 can be seen within the discharge tube 2. At this vent pipe 1, a vent hose is connected to the complete emptying of a urea solution container, which can extend to the bottom of the urea solution container. As a result, a safe venting of the urea solution container is given with the device according to the invention, so that it can be completely emptied.

FIG. 6 now shows an inner tube 3 of the device according to the invention, in which the emptying tube 2 according to the FIGS. 4 to 5b is arranged. Clearly visible in the inner tube 3, the stop surfaces 6, 9 and 19. The stop surface 6 serves to bear a first union nut 5, with which the device according to the invention can be connected to a urea solution container. The applied to this contact surface 6 union nut 5 is in FIG. 7 already shown.

At the opposite end of the union nut 5 of the inner tube 3 while a sealing ring 20 is arranged, which seals the inner tube 3 with respect to an outer tube 4 liquid-tight later in the assembly of the device according to the invention.

In the subsequent manufacturing step, a spiral spring 8 is now applied to the inner tube 3 until it comes to rest on the contact surface 9.

The following is according to FIG. 9 a second union nut 17 is introduced to the inner tube 3, which then according to the representation of FIG. 10 the outer tube 4 applied is and a sealing plug 7 is connected to the inner tube 3. In the presentation of the FIG. 10 this embodiment of the device according to the invention for emptying a urea solution container is shown in its closed position. This means that no urea can emerge from this device when it is connected by means of its union nut 5 and an internal thread 16 contained therein with an external thread of a filler neck of a tank to be filled.

This position of FIG. 10 or the FIG. 1 is in the FIG. 2 shown in a sectional view in which the essential elements and the operation of the device according to the invention can be seen better. The presentation of the FIG. 2 is along the cutting plane AA according to the FIG. 1 shown.

It can clearly be seen here how the emptying tube 2 with its venting tube 1 is arranged inside the inner tube 3. At the union nut 5 opposite end of the device, the emptying tube 2 is supported on webs 12 of the sealing plug 7 from. This avoids that the emptying tube 2 is displaced too far within the inner tube and thus closes the arranged between the connecting webs 12 passages 13 for the urea solution.

It is clear in the sectional view according to FIG. 2 also to recognize how the arranged between inner tube 3 and outer tube 4 coil spring 8 is supported on the contact surfaces 9 and 10. The outer tube 4 in this case has a further stop surface 14, with which the entire device and the outer tube 4 can be applied liquid-tight to a filler neck of a tank to be filled.

In order to connect the device according to the invention also firmly with the tank to be filled, a further union nut 17 is provided which has an internal thread 18 which corresponds to a corresponding external thread of the filler neck of the tank to be filled.

In another embodiment, not shown in the figures can also be dispensed with this further union nut 17, since this only serves to attach the device to the tank to be filled or its filler neck. For emptying of the urea solution container, it is not essential to union nut. It is sufficient to set up the urea solution container together with the device according to the invention with the contact surface 14 of the outer tube 4 manually on the filler neck of the tank to be filled. What ensures the liquid-tight connection. Subsequently, as in the embodiment with the further union nut 17, the urea solution container including the device according to the invention in the direction of the filler neck of the tank moves, with the outer tube 4 on the inner tube three against the spring force of the coil spring 8 shifts so that the device of Your closing is transferred to the open position.

Clearly visible in the sectional view according to FIG. 2 Also, the sealing rings 20 and 21, which seal the outer tube 4 against the inner tube 3 and on the other hand, the sealing plug 7 against the outer tube 4 liquid-tight.

Is to the inventive device according to the illustration of Figur2 now connected to the union nut 15, a urea solution container, and attached the device with the union nut 17 to a filler neck of a tank to be filled, now overcoming the spring force of the coil spring 8, the inner tube 3 relative to the outer tube 4 are moved until the outer tube 4 at the contact surface 19 of the inner tube 3 comes to rest. In this position, the passages 13 are then exposed between the connecting webs 12 of the sealing plug, so that urea can be transferred from the urea solution container through the discharge pipe 2 and the passages 13 in the tank to be filled.

By means of the vent pipe 1, on which advantageously still a vent hose extending to the bottom of the urea solution container is arranged, this can be vented during the emptying of the urea solution container, so that a complete emptying of the urea solution container is ensured.

After the urea solution container has been emptied, the outer tube 4 is moved on the inner tube 3 again by the spring force of the coil spring 8 until the device again their closed position according to the FIG. 2 has taken.

The device according to the invention can now be solved with the urea solution container again from the filler neck of the filled tank and subsequently the device according to the invention can also be emptied from the emptied urea solution container.

Of course, it is also possible to first dissolve the urea solution container of the device according to the invention and subsequently to release the inventive device from the filler neck of the filled tank.

In both cases, it is in any case possible to use the device according to the invention for emptying further urea solution containers.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vent pipe

2

drain pipe

3

inner tube

4

outer tube

5

Nut

6

contact surface

7

sealing plug

8th

spiral spring

9

contact surface

10

contact surface

11

sealing surface

12

connecting web

13

passage

14

contact surface

15

inner thread

16

contact surface

17

Nut

18

inner thread

19

contact surface

20

seal

21

seal

Claims (8)

1. Device for emptying a urea solution container into a tank having a filler neck, with

   a) an emptying tube (2) having a venting tube (1),

   b) an inner tube (30) in which the emptying tube (2) is accommodated,

   c) an outer tube (4) which is mounted displaceably under spring force loading on the inner tube (3),

   d) a union nut (5) which comes to abut against a first abutment surface (6) of the inner tube (3) and serves for connecting the device to the urea solution container, and

   e) a sealing stopper (7) which is arranged on the emptying tube (2) at that end of the device which is opposite the union nut (5),

   wherein, in a closed position, the outer tube (4) together with the sealing stopper (7) closes the device in a liquid-tight manner, whereas, after displacement of the outer tube (4) on the inner tube (3) counter to the spring force, with a liquid passage being opened up, an open position of the device can be taken up, characterized in that the sealing stopper (7) has a sealing surface (11) which is connected to the emptying tube (2) by means of connecting webs (12) between which passages (13) are formed, wherein the connecting webs (12) of the sealing stopper (7) are arranged on the inner tube (3) in such a manner that the emptying tube (2) is supported on the connecting webs (12).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the spring force loading is produced by a spiral spring (8) which is arranged between inner tube (3) and outer tube (4) in such a manner that it is supported firstly on a second abutment surface (9) of the inner tube (3) and secondly on a first abutment surface (10) of the outer tube (4).
3. Device according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second abutment surface (14) is formed on the outer tube (4), said abutment surface being able to be placed in a liquid-tight manner onto a filler neck of a tank.
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the union nut (5) has an inner thread (15) with which the device is connectable to an outer thread of a discharge opening of a urea solution container.
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a third abutment surface (16) of the outer tube (4) is formed on the outer tube (4), on which abutment surface a second union nut (17) with which the device is connectable to the filler neck of a tank is supported.
6. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the second union nut (17) has an inner thread (18) by means of which the device is connectable to an outer thread of the filler neck of a tank.
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a venting hose which projects into the urea solution container, preferably as far as the bottom, can be connected to the venting tube (1).
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner tube (3) has a third abutment surface (19) of the inner tube (3), said abutment surface serving as a stop for the outer tube (4) during displacement of the outer tube (4) on the inner tube (3) into the open position of the device.

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