GB2479254A

GB2479254A - Vehicle with spring strut dome and filler arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2479254A
Application number: GB1105225A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Erich Bernd
Original assignee: Dr Ing HCF Porsche AG
Current assignee: Dr Ing HCF Porsche AG
Priority date: 2010-03-30
Filing date: 2011-03-28
Publication date: 2011-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-28
Also published as: FR2958251B1; DE102010016220A1; GB2479254B; DE102010016220B4; FR2958251A1; GB201105225D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle having two spring strut domes 4, 5 which are spaced apart from one another in the vehicle transverse direction. To provide a simple arrangement for facilitating the replenishment of operating media, each dome 4, 5 is associated with a service shell comprising a filler neck. On one side, a service shell 9 may be provided with an inlet for water and on the other side, a service shell 10 may be provided for a lubricant A filler neck cover 14 and a level indicator (22 see fig 2) may be provided.

Description

Motor vehicle The invention relates to a motor vehicle having two spring strut domes spaced apart from one another in the vehicle s transverse direction.

The German laid-open specification IDE 10 2007 017 427 Al discloses a motor vehicle having a water tank arranged below a gap between the windshield and engine hood, which water tank io is covered at the top by an elongate water tank cover. The German laid-open specification DE 10 2007 020 928 Al discloses a bracket for fastening a motor vehicle module to a spring strut dome of the motor vehicle. The module may be designed as a tank for brake fluid, windshield washer fluid or cooling liquid.

The invention seeks to make possible in a simple manner a replenishment of operating media in a motor vehicle having two spring strut domes which are spaced apart from one another in the vehicle transverse direction.

This may be achieved in a motor vehicle having two spring strut domes which are spaced apart from one another in the vehicle transverse direction in that the two spring strut domes are assigned in each case (f or example, have associated with) one service shell which comprises a filler neck.

Different operating mediums can be poured in or replenished via the filler necks. It is preferable for coolant or cooling water to be replenished through one of the filler necks and for lubricant to be replenished through the other filler neck.

The assignment according to the invention of the service shells has proven to be particularly advantageous from visual, practical and/or production aspects.

A preferred exemplary embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that the service shell is engaged around by a cover which covers the respective spring strut dome. The overall visual impression is improved in this way. As a result of the double function of the cover, the number of individual parts required can be reduced. The cover is advantageously provided with a funnel-shaped depression in the region of the service shell.

A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that the service shells comprise in each case one annular body which engages around the filler neck and from which extend fastening lugs to which the cover is fastened. The annular body is preferably integrally connected to the service shell and to the fastening lugs. The cover is attached to the fastening lugs preferably by means of clip connections.

A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that the service shells are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a vehicle longitudinal axis. This arrangement of the service shells has proven to be particularly advantageous from visual, practical and/or production aspects.

A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that the service shells are arranged in a vehicle front region. The service shells are preferably accessible in a luggage compartment of the vehicle when the luggage compartment cover is open. The two spring strut domes, under which in each case one spring strut is arranged, are connected for example by means of a cowl cross member. The cowl cross member may be arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the luggage compartment cover and the windshield of the motor vehicle.

A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that the service shells are formed from plastic. The service shells are preferably injection-molded parts which are integrally connected to the filler neck, which is formed from the same plastic.

A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that filler openings of the filler necks are spaced apart from the spring strut domes toward the vehicle longitudinal axis in the vehicle transverse direction.

This improves the accessibility of the filler openings during replenishment.

A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that the filler necks or connecting pipes or connecting hoses which extend from the filler necks have fastening flanges by means of which the filler necks are fastened to a supporting structure of the motor vehicle. The fastening to the supporting structure is provided preferably in the form of a sliding seat which is secured by means of a screw.

A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that the service shells comprise in each case one annular chamber which surrounds the filler neck and which can be closed off together with the filler neck by a closure cover. The annular chamber serves for example as a receiving chamber for spilled operating medium. Furthermore, the annular chamber serves for the dissipation of an operational pressure before the closure cover is opened for the replenishment of operating medium.

A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that at least one of the filler necks can be closed off by means of a closure cover with a bayonet connection and/or integrated anti-scalding guard. The bayonet connection makes it possible for an operational pressure in the filler neck to be dissipated, or for the filler neck to be s ventilated, before the closure cover is removed.

Further advantages, features and details of embodiments of the invention will emerge from the following description which, with reference to the drawings, describes different exemplary io embodiments in detail. In the drawings: figure 1 shows a perspective illustration of a detail of a motor vehicle front region having two service shells according to an embodiment of the invention; figure 2 shows a perspective sectional illustration of one of the service shells from figure 1; figure 3 shows an enlarged detail from figure 2; figure 4 shows a perspective view of one of the service shells from figure 1 obliquely from above; figure 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment in a view similar to figure 2, slightly enlarged; figure 6 shows a perspective illustration of a closure ring body for a closure cover; figure 7 shows a perspective illustration of a closure cover having the closure ring body from figure 6, obliquely from below; figure 8 shows the closure cover from figure 7, obliquely from above; figure 9 shows the service shell from figure 2 from above, s in the open state; figure 10 shows a perspective illustration of the service shell from figure 9 obliquely from above, in the open state; figure 11 shows a perspective sectional illustration of the service shell from figures 2 to 5 with the closure cover from figures 6 to 8 in a ventilation position; figure 12 shows a perspective sectional illustration of the service shell with a filling level indicator; figure 13 shows a perspective illustration of the filling level indicator with a fastening ring; figure 14 shows a perspective illustration of the fastening ring from figure 13 on its Own; figure 15 shows a perspective illustration of a fastening region of the service shell; figure 16 shows the fastening region of the service shell from below; figure 17 shows a further fastening region of the service shell from above; figure 18 shows a perspective illustration of a cover for a spring strut dome with an opening for the service shell; figure 19 shows a view similar to figure 18 without the cover with the service shell; figure 20 shows a perspective illustration of a further service shell; figure 21 shows a perspective illustration of a closure cover of the service shell from figure 20 obliquely from the side; figure 22 shows a perspective illustration of the open service shell from figure 20, obliquely from above; figure 23 shows the closure cover from figure 21, obliquely from above, and figure 24 shows a perspective sectional view of the service shell from figure 20.

Figure 1 illustrates, in a perspective view, a motor vehicle front end 1 with a luggage compartment 2. Visible in the luggage compartment 2 are two spring strut domes 4, 5 which belong to spring struts. A cowl cross member 6 extends between the two spring strut domes 4, 5.

The spring strut dome 4 arranged at the left in figure 1 is assigned a service shell 8 for oil. The spring strut dome 5 arranged at the right in figure 1 is assigned a service shell 9 for coolant or cooling water. The service shell 8 is integrated into a cover 10 which covers the spring strut dome 4. The service shell 9 is integrated into a cover 11 which covers the spring strut dome 5.

The covers 10, 11 extend in the vehicle transverse direction s toward a vehicle longitudinal axis 7 and are designed mirror-symmetrically. The covers 10 and 11 have in each case one funnel-shaped depression 12, 13 which surrounds the associated service shell 8, 9. The two service shells 8, 9 are closed off in each case by a closure cover 14, 15. The closure covers 14, 15 may be unscrewed and removed for the replenishment of oil and cooling water respectively.

In the section illustrated in figure 2, it can be seen that the closure cover 14 is screwed onto a filler neck 20 by means is of a bayonet screw connection 18. A connecting pipe or a corresponding connecting hose extends from the filler neck 20 to a coolant or cooling water tank, in particular a compensating tank with coolant or cooling water. A filling level indicator 22 is arranged in the filler neck 20, which filling level indicator serves to indicate, in the upper region of the filler neck 20, the filling level of the tank.

The filler neck 20 is surrounded radially at the outside by an annular chamber 24, from which a further connecting piece 25 extends laterally. Via the annular chamber 24 and the connecting piece 25, an excess pressure in the filler neck 20 can be dissipated before the closure cover 14 is removed from the filler neck 20. In this way, it is possible to prevent scalding as a result of hot vapor during the removal of the closure cover 14.

Fastening flanges 26, 27 are attached to the connecting pipe 21 which extends from the filler neck 20, which fastening flanges serve for fastening the service shell 9 to a supporting structure of the motor vehicle. The service shell is fastened preferably by means of a sliding seat, which will be described in more detail below. The sliding seat may then be secured by means of a nut 28 which is screwed onto a stud bolt projecting from the supporting structure.

In the region of the bayonet screw connection 18, a flat seal 29 is arranged between the filler neck 20 and the closure cover 14, which flat seal permits a dissipation of pressure in the filler neck 20 via the annular chamber 24 and the io connecting piece 25 when the closure cover 14 is unscrewed and/or pushed down before being removed. During such a dissipation of pressure, an 0-ring seal 30 prevents hot vapor from escaping between the closure cover 14 and the service shell 9.

In the enlarged section illustrated in figure 3, it can be seen that an encircling collar 32 extends at an angle from the cover 10, which collar engages into an annular groove of the service shell 9. The cover 10 of the service shell 9 is centered in this way. At 34, it is indicated that a mechanism for clipping the cover 10 is welded to the service shell 9.

In figure 4, it is indicated that the cover 10 is supported on the supporting structure of the motor vehicle at a point 35.

Furthermore, the cover 10 is clipped to the service shell 9 at three clipping points 36. The clipping of the cover 10 to the service shell 9 will be explained in more detail below.

In figure 5, it can be seen, in one exemplary embodiment of the service shell 8, that the annular chamber 24 is delimited by a base 41 which extends radially outward from the filler neck 20. A wall 42 in the shape of a straight hollow cylinder barrel extends from the base 41 radially at the outside. The base 41 and the wall 42 provide the service shell 8 with a pot-shaped form. The service shell 9 illustrated in the preceding figures has a similar pot-shaped form with a base and a hollow cylindrical wall.

In the sectional view illustrated in figure 5, it can be seen that a drainage duct 44 extends from the annular chamber 24 into the connecting pipe or the connecting hose 21. This makes it possible in a simple manner for spilled oil to drain out of the annular chamber 24 and back into the oil tank. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figure 5, the annular chamber 24, the flat seal 29 and the 0-ring seal 30 and the connecting pipe 21 are denoted by the same reference numerals as used in the case of the service shell 9.

Figure 6 shows a perspective illustration of a closure body 46 having an outer ring 47 and an inner ring 48. The inner ring 48 is connected to the outer ring 47 by means of three webs which run in the radial direction. Radial projections, of which one radial projection 50 is visible in figure 6, extend radially inward from the lower end of the inner ring 48. At its top end in figure 6, the inner ring 48 has a radially inwardly projecting edge region 52 which has a total of three recesses 49 arranged offset with respect to the projections 50 in the axial direction. The projections 50 serve to form the bayonet of the bayonet screw connection 18.

Figure 7 shows that the closure body 46 is welded with the outer ring 47 into the closure cover 14. This design provides the advantage that an 0-ring groove at 50 can be produced without a slide.

Figure 8 shows that the closure cover 14 has, at the top, an elongate handle region which makes it easier to grip and turn the closure cover 14.

Figure 9 shows that the service shell 9 has, at the top end of the hollow cylindrical wall 42, an annular body 53 from which three fastening lugs 54, 55, 56 extend. The fastening lugs 54 to 56 have in each case one rectangular recess which serves s for producing the clip connection by means of which the cover is fastened to the service shell 9. Furthermore, figure 9 shows that a drainage duct 57 extends from the base 41, which drainage duct 57 makes it possible for spilled cooling water to drain out of the service shell 9. The connecting piece 25 permits ventilation during the filling of the service shell 9.

Figure 10 shows that an external thread 58 of the bayonet screw connection 18 is formed radially at the outside on the filler neck 20. The filling level indicator 22 can be seen in the interior of the filler neck 20.

In figure 11, the closure cover 14 is arranged on the service shell 9 in its ventilation position. The closure cover 14 has been raised as a result of the pressure in the filler neck 20, but remains hooked in by means of the bayonet at 60, in such a way that it cannot yet be removed. The flat seal opens up a path at 61 for dissipating the excess pressure. A dashed arrow 62 indicates that the excess pressure is dissipated out of the filler neck 20 into the annular chamber 24.

From the annular chamber 24, the pressure is then dissipated via the drainage duct 57 and via the ventilation connecting piece 25. At 64, it is indicated that the 0-ring seal continues to perform its sealing action even when the closure cover 14 is situated in its ventilation position illustrated in figure 11. After pressure compensation has taken place, the closure cover 14 drops down again and/or is pressed down such that it can be removed from the filler neck 20.

Figures 12 to 14 show that the filling level indicator 22 comprises a fastening ring 66 which serves for fastening the filling level indicator 22 in the filler neck 20. A guide rail 68 extends from the fastening ring 66, which guide rail serves to guide a connecting rod 69 so as to be movable back and forth in the connecting pipe 21.

Provided at the lower end of the connecting rod 69 is a float which floats on the cooling water level or the cooling io water surface. The information regarding the height of the cooling water level is transmitted to the filling level indicator 22 via the connecting rod 69. The guide rail 68 has an elongate depression 71 for guiding the connecting rod 69.

Figures 15 and 16 show that feet 73, 74 are formed on the underside of the fastening flanges 26, 27, which feet are firstly inserted into corresponding recesses in the supporting structure of the motor vehicle. The service shell with the feet 73, 74 is subsequently pushed outward, as indicated by an arrow on the fastening flange 26. As a result of the insertion and pushing outward of the feet 73, 74, a sliding seat is formed which is secured by the screw 28, as shown in figure 17.

Figure 17 also shows that the fastening lugs 54, 55, 56 for the cover 10 project outward to 75 to such an extent that, under them, for fixing the sliding seat, only one screw point for the nut 28 can be provided.

Weld seam points of the sheet-metal parts are indicated at 77 in figure 18. On account of the bodyshell, there is a large tolerance chain which possibly cannot be compensated by the cover 10 alone. It may therefore be expedient for the service shell to be positioned by means of a template. Alternatively, it may be possible for the cover 10 to be used as a template.

Figure 19 shows that a screw point 78 in the region of the spring strut dome is still accessible even when the service shell 9 is mounted.

Figure 20 illustrates the service shell 8 according to a further exemplary embodiment. An oil hose 81 extends from the service shell 8, which oil hose is plugged with one end onto a connecting piece 82. The connecting piece 82 is fastened by io means of two screw points to the supporting structure of the motor vehicle. The service shell 8 comprises an annular body 83 from which fastening lugs 84, 85, 88 extend. The fastening lugs 84, 85, 88 serve for fastening the associated cover to the service shell 8. The service shell 8 also comprises fastening flanges 86, 87, by means of which the service shell 8 is fastened to the supporting structure of the motor vehicle, for example to the cowl cross member 6.

Figures 21 to 24 show that a filler neck 90 in the service shell 8 is surrounded by an annular chamber 92. The filler neck 90 with the annular chamber 92 can be closed off by the closure cover 15. A closure ring 94 with an 0-ring groove 95 is welded into the closure cover 15, preferably by means of friction welding. The closure ring 94 is similar to the closure body or closure ring 46 of the closure cover 14 of the service shell 9 illustrated in figures 6 to 8.

Formed radially at the outside on the filler neck 90 is an external thread 100 onto which the closure cover 15 is screwed by means of the closure ring 94. A return opening 102 for returning spilled oil is provided in the filler neck 90. An anti-scalding guard is not imperatively necessary in the service shell for oil.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A motor vehicle having two spring strut domes which are spaced apart from one another in the vehicle transverse direction, wherein the two spring strut domes are assigned in each case one service shell which comprises a filler neck.
2. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the service shell is engaged around by a cover which covers the io respective spring strut dome.
3. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the service shells comprise in each case one annular body which engages around the filler neck and from which extend fastening is lugs to which the cover is fastened.
4. The motor vehicle as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the service shells are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a vehicle longitudinal axis.
5. The motor vehicle as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the service shells are arranged in a vehicle front region.
6. The motor vehicle as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the service shells are formed from plastic.
7. The motor vehicle as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein filler openings of the filler necks are spaced apart from the spring strut domes toward the vehicle longitudinal axis in the vehicle transverse direction.
8. The motor vehicle as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the filler necks or connecting pipes or connecting hoses which extend from the filler necks have fastening flanges by means of which the filler necks are fastened to a supporting structure of the motor vehicle.
9. The motor vehicle as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the service shells comprise in each case one annular chamber which surrounds the filler neck and which can be closed off together with the filler neck by a closure cover.
10. The motor vehicle as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the filler necks can be closed of f by means of a closure cover with a bayonet connection and/or integrated anti-scalding guard.
11. A motor vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.