SE543182C2

SE543182C2 - A ventilation arrangement for a reservoir acommodating a liquid, an arrangement for supplying a liquid and a vehicle comprising such arrangements

Info

Publication number: SE543182C2
Application number: SE1851371A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Carl Nordin; Hans Wiklund
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2018-11-05
Filing date: 2018-11-05
Publication date: 2020-10-20
Also published as: DE102019007158A1; SE1851371A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement with a valve device (20) for a reservoir (120) accommodating a liquid (L), the valve device (20) being configured to be connected to a ventilation tube (12) for leading ambient air into the reservoir (120), wherein the valve device (20) is configured to be arranged in an air inlet port (126) of the reservoir (120) to connect the ventilation tube (12) and the reservoir (120), wherein the valve device (20) is configured to be in an open state to allow air supply into the reservoir (120) when the pressure inside the reservoir (120) is lower than the ambient pressure. The invention also relate to an arrangement for supplying a liquid and to a vehicle.

Description

- ventišatšon arrangement for a reservoir accommodating a ' an arrangement for supplying a liquid and a vehicle comgršsing such arrangemenïs TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to iieu-iaäi;--Tiëe--irfiverfitien-æaise--rei-ates--te--a ventilation arrangement comprising sei-eh-a valve device, an arrangement for supplying a liquid on a vehicle, a vehiclecomprising such an arrangement and use of a ventilation arrangement for ventilating a reservoir accommodating urea.

BACKGROUND Tanks/reservoirs on vehicles for accommodating a liquid often have ventingopenings and/or venting lines/pipes/tubes arranged in fluid communication withthe ambient air. When liquid is pumped from the tank, ambient air is drawn intothe tank by means of the underpressure created inside the tank. Duringoperation of a vehicle, the liquid might splash and ripple inside the tank. Thismay lead to leakage of the liquid via the venting opening. ln the event that theliquid is fuel or similar, the leaked liquid may clog filters arranged in associationwith the venting line. ln the event that the liquid is urea, the leaked urea in theventing line may crystalize and the small crystals may eventually clog the ventingopening or the venting line. When the venting opening/line is clogged, no air canenter the tank. Pumping urea from the tank will then result in an underpressure,which will cause deformation of the tank. The problem with urea causing cloggedventing lines is often not identified until it is too late. Typically, the operator ofthe vehicle will not detect the problem until it is time to fill the tank with moreurea or from performance disturbances. By then it is too late and the tank has to be replaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Despite known solutions in the field, it would be desirable to develop a valve ventilation arrangement, which alleviates or at least reduces thedrawbacks with prior art.

An object of the present invention is thus to achieve an advantageous valve- ventilation arrangement comprising %h~_a__valve device, whichreduces the risk for clogged ventilation tubes.

Another object of the invention is to achieve an advantageous ventilation arrangement, which is compact and cost effective.

The herein mentioned objects are achieved by a--ﬂtfaåve--eievëeeï--a ventilationarrangement, an arrangement for supplying a liquid, a vehicle comprising suchan arrangement and use of a ventilation arrangement for ventilating a reservoir accommodating a liquid according to the independent claims.

Hence, according to an aspect of the present invention a ventilation arrangement trvšth a veritilation tube and a valve device for a reservoir accommodating a liquid is provided, the valve device being configured to beconnected to a~t_fl§_ventilation tube for leading ambient air into the reservoir,wherein the valve device is configured to be arranged in an air inlet port of thereservoir to connect the ventilation tube and the reservoir, wherein the valvedevice is configured to be in an open state to allow air supply into the reservoir, when the pressure inside the reservoir is lower than the ambient pressure.

Aaserdiag;--t-e--artathar-aspeet--eš--t-he-ânventšen?hus, a ventilation arrangement fora reservoir accommodating a liquid is provided. The ventilation arrangementcomprises: a ventilation tube configured to lead ambient air into the reservoir via an air inlet of the reservoir; and a valve device as disclosed herein. Thus, the valve device is connected to the ventilation tube, the valve device is configuredto be arranged in an air inlet port of the reservoir to connect the ventilation tubeand the reservoir, and the valve device is configured to be in an open state toallow air supply into the reservoir, when the pressure inside the reservoir is lower than the ambient pressure.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, an arrangement for supplyinga liquid on a vehicle is provided. The system comprises: a reservoir foraccommodating the liquid; a pump for retrieving the liquid from the reservoir;and a conduit arranged between the reservoir and the pump, wherein thereservoir comprises an air inlet connected to the ambient air, such that when thepump draws liquid from the reservoir, air is entering the reservoir, wherein the arrangement further comprises a ventilation arrangement as disclosed herein.

As mentioned in the background, one problem that may occur with reservoirscontaining for example urea is that urea leaks from the reservoir into theventilation tube. When the urea crystalizes the ventilation tube may be cloggedand the reservoir may eventually be deformed. Such deformation is irreversibleand the reservoir will therefore have to be replaced with a new reservoir if thisproblem occurs. By having a valve device according to the present invention,the valve device will function both as a bushing for connecting the ventilationtube to the reservoir, and as a valve. Since the valve device is configured to bein the open state when the pressure inside the reservoir is lower than theambient pressure, a check valve function for the liquid is achieved, only allowingflow of the liquid in one direction through the valve device. The valve device willthus normally be in a closed state and opens to allow ambient air to enter thereservoir when liquid is pumped out from the reservoir. This way, the valvedevice will prevent or reduce leakage of liquid from the reservoir. The risk ofclogging the ventilation tube is thereby reduced. Also, the valve deviceaccording to the present invention combines two functions in one integrated unit, which is a compact and cost-efficient solution. The valve device also facilitates assembly of the ventilation tube and can easily be arranged on tanks that arealready used in vehicles today.

Further objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention willbecome apparent to one skilled in the art from the following details, and also byputting the invention into practice. Whereas the invention is described below, itshould be noted that it is not restricted to the specific details described.Specialists having access to the teachings herein will recognise furtherapplications, modifications and incorporations within other fields, which arewithin the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For fuller understanding of the present invention and further objects andadvantages of it, the detailed description set out below should be read togetherwith the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference notations denote similar items in the various drawings, and in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle according to anexample; Figure 2 schematically illustrates an arrangement for supplyinga liquid according to an example; Figure 3 schematically illustrate details of a ventilationarrangement according to an example, Figure 4a-c schematically illustrate a valve device according to anexample; and Figure 5a-c illustrates a valve device according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To reduce the risk of clogging a ventilation tube, a valve device and a ventilationarrangement according to the present disclosure have been developed. Thevalve device and ventilation arrangement disclosed herein may be applicable onreservoirs accommodating any type of liquid. However, the valve device andventilation arrangement may specifically relate to reservoirs accommodating urea. Thus, the herein mentioned liquid may be urea.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an arranqentertt with a valvedevice for a reservoir accommodating a liquid is provided. The valve device isconfigured to be connected to a ventilation tube for leading ambient air into thereservoir. The valve device is also configured to be arranged in an air inlet portof the reservoir to connect the ventilation tube and the reservoir, wherein thevalve device is configured to be in an open state to allow air supply into thereservoir when the pressure inside the reservoir is lower than the ambientpressure. The valve device is thus configured to be arranged in fluidcommunication with the ambient air and the inside of the reservoir. The valvedevice may be arranged in the air inlet port of the reservoir, to enable fluid communication between the ventilation tube and the inside of the reservoir.

The valve device may be configured to be in an open state to allow air supplyinto the reservoir, only when the pressure inside the reservoir is lower than theambient pressure. The valve device being in an open state means that ambient air can enter the reservoir. Thus, the valve device being in a closed state means that ambient air cannot enter the reservoir and the liquid cannot exit the reservoir.

The valve device may be configured to be in the closed state in a normal/naturalstate. The valve device may be configured, such that it automatically returns toits closed state when the pressure in the reservoir has increased to the same as the ambient pressure. ln one example, the valve device is configured to open when the pressure insidethe reservoir is lower than the ambient pressure and the pressure difference isabove a predetermined threshold. Thus, the valve device may be configured to open depending on the pressure difference between the pressure inside thereservoir and the ambient pressure. The valve device may be configured to bein an open state when the pressure in the reservoir is below a predeterminedthreshold value. Suitably, the valve device is configured to be in an open statewhen there is an underpressure below a predetermined threshold value inside the reservoir.

The valve device may further be configured to be in an open state when thepressure inside the reservoir is higher than the ambient pressure. ln oneexample, the valve device is configured to open when the pressure inside thereservoir is higher than the ambient pressure and the pressure difference isabove a predetermined threshold. The valve device may be configured to be inan open state when the pressure in the reservoir is higher than a predeterminedthreshold value. The pressure inside the reservoir may be higher than theambient pressure, for example, when the reservoir/liquid is heated or when theliquid is cooled, such that the liquid freezes.

The valve device may be referred to as a valve device for a reservoiraccommodating urea. The valve device may be a passive valve. This way, nocomplex control of the valve device is required and a cost-efficient valve deviceis achieved.

The ambient air is defined as the air in the immediate surroundings of thereservoir. The ambient air may be referred to as the outside air and maycomprise impurities/contaminants. lt is to be understood that the pressure insidethe reservoir will decrease when liquid is pumped out from the reservoir. Thus,the pressure inside the reservoir will be lower than the ambient pressure when liquid is pumped out from the reservoir.

According to an example, the valve device comprises an elastic/resilient bodywith a passage extending between a first end and a second end of the body, thevalve device being configured to be arranged with the first end outside the reservoir and the second end inside the reservoir. The valve device may thusbe configured to extend through the air in|et port of the reservoir. The body maybe elongated and have a Iongitudinal extension between the first end and thesecond end. The elastic body may have an essentially cylindrical shape. Thebody may thus comprise a curved circumferential wall. The valve device maythus be referred to as a bushing, sleeve or similar. The valve device may beconfigured to be connected to the ventilation tube at the first end. Alternatively,the valve device may be configured to be connected to a nipple or connector atthe first end, which nipple or connector is connected to the ventilation tube. Thenipple/connector may form part of the ventilation tube. The first end of the valvedevice body is thus open. This way, the passage will be in fluid communicationwith the ambient air when the valve device is directly or indirectly connected tothe ventilation tube. The valve device body may comprise rubber, silicone orsome other sort of elastomer.

The body may comprise a first portion including the first end and a secondportion including the second end. The second portion may be configured toextend inside the reservoir. The valve device may thus be configured to bearranged with the first portion in the air in|et port and the second end extendinginside the reservoir. The passage extending through the body thus extendsthrough the first portion and the second portion.

The first portion of the body may be configured to form a sealing between theventilation tube and the reservoir. The ventilation tube may be inserted into thefirst portion of the body. At least a part of the circumferential wall of the firstportion may thus be configured to engage with the air in|et port. The first portionof the body may thus be configured to surround a first end of the ventilation tube.That is, the first portion may be configured to form a sealing between an outersurface of the ventilation tube and a wall of the reservoir. ln the event that thevalve device is connected to a ventilation tube connector/nipple at the first end,the first portion may be configured to form a sealing between theconnector/nipple and the reservoir. The first portion of the body may comprise a thicker circumferential wall than the second portion and may thereby be lesselastic/resilient than the second portion. This way, the first portion may more easily be inserted to fit in the air in|et port of the reservoir.

The valve device may comprise a flange portion at the first end of the body. Theflange portion may be referred to as a stop portion. The flange portion may thusbe configured to restrict movement of the body in the axial direction, in directioninto the inside of the reservoir. The flange portion may extend radially(outwardiy) essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension of the body.The valve device may be configured to be arranged in the air in|et port with theflange portion abutting the outside of the reservoir wall surrounding the air in|etport. The flange portion will thereby circumferentially surround the air in|et portformed in the wall. The flange portion thus has a contact surface adapted to abut the reservoir wall.

According to an example, the second portion comprises a slot. The slot isopenable and closable. The second portion may thus comprise an elongated cutor slit, which can be open or closed. Suitably, the second end of the secondportion is closed. Thus, the second portion may comprise an end wall extendingessentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension of the body and closingthe second end. The slot/cut/slit is suitably arranged in communication with thepassage in the body. Thus, when the valve device is arranged in the reservoirand the slot/cut/slit is open, the passage will be in fluid communication with theinside of the reservoir. This way, the ventilation tube connected to the valvedevice will also be in fluid communication with the inside of the reservoir.Ambient air can thereby be supplied into the reservoir or air inside the reservoircan be discharged to the outside. The slot/cut/slit may be arranged in the endwall of the second portion. The slot/cut/slit may alternatively be arranged in thecircumferential wall of the second portion. The slot/cut/slit may thus be arranged,such that air being discharged through the open slot/cut/slit will have a flowdirection essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the body andthe passage. The valve device may be configured, such that the slot/cut/slit is opened when the pressure inside the reservoir is lower or higher than theambient pressure. The pressure difference will affect the elastic body, such thatthe slot/cut/slit is slightly opened and ambient air may be drawn into the reservoiror air inside the reservoir may be drawn out from the reservoir. Thus, thepressure difference will temporarily deform the body, such that the slot/cut/slit isopened. When the pressure inside the reservoir is similar to the ambientpressure, the body (valve device) will automatically return to the natural closedstate. The natural closed state of the valve device may thus be an unloadedstate of the valve device. The slot/cut/slit may in the open state form an opening,which is between 0,1 -2 mm wide. The slot/cut/slit may in the open state be largeenough to allow ambient air to enter the reservoir but small enough to impedeleakage of liquid. The second portion may comprise one or more slots/cuts/slits.

According to an example, the valve device is configured to open when thepressure difference between the pressure inside the reservoir and the ambientpressure is within the range of 0,1-0,3 bar. Since the passage in the body is influid communication with the ambient air, the pressure inside the passage willbe the ambient pressure. At a pressure difference within the range of 0,1-0,3 barwhere the pressure inside the reservoir is lower than the ambient pressure, thehigher ambient pressure inside the passage will force the slot/cut/slit to open.Ambient air will thereby enter the reservoir via the slot/cut/slit. At a pressuredifference within the range of 0,1-0,3 bar where the pressure inside the reservoiris higher than the ambient pressure, the higher pressure inside the reservoir willforce the slot/cut/slit to open. Air inside the reservoir will thereby be able to exitthe reservoir via the slot/cut/slit.

The passage in the body may have a homogenous transverse (radial) cross-sectional area from the first end to the second end. However, the first portionmay have a larger outer diameter than the second portion. This means that thefirst portion may comprise a thicker circumferential wall than the second portion.Alternatively, the passage in the second portion tapers towards the second end.

As an example, the second portion tapers towards the second end. The secondportion may thus be essentially conically shaped. The second portion may beessentially flat at the second end. The second portion may thus comprise atapered section and a flat section. ln this case, the end wall closing the secondend may extend outwardly from the second portion as a flange. The passage inthe first portion may additionally or alternatively diverge in direction towards thesecond portion. The passage in the first portion may comprise a cylindricalsection and a diverging section.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a ventilation arrangement fora reservoir accommodating a liquid is provided. The ventilation arrangementcomprises: a tube configured to lead ambient air into the reservoir via an air inletof the reservoir; and a valve device as disclosed herein. The ventilationarrangement thus comprises a valve device configured to be connected to theventilation tube for leading ambient air into the reservoir. The valve device isalso configured to be arranged in an air inlet port of the reservoir to connect theventilation tube and the reservoir, wherein the valve device is configured to bein an open state to allow air supply into the reservoir when the pressure insidethe reservoir is lower than the ambient pressure. lt will be appreciated that allthe features and examples described for the valve device aspect are alsoapplicable to the ventilation arrangement aspect.

The ventilation arrangement may be configured to be used for urea reservoirson vehicles but it is to be understood that the ventilation arrangement may beused for any liquid reservoirs having an air inlet. The ventilation arrangement may be referred to as a vehicle ventilation arrangement.

According to an example, the ventilation arrangement further comprises a filterdevice arranged in fluid communication with the ventilation tube, upstream ofthe valve device. The filter device may be arranged in the ventilation tube. Thus,the ambient air flowing inside the ventilation tube will pass through the filterdevice before continuing to the valve device. The filter device is thus configured 11 for filter the ambient air before reaching the reservoir. The filter device may bean air filter. Without the filter device, the ambient air entering the reservoir maybe contaminated and in some polluted environments this could result in a largeamount of contaminants in the liquid. ln the case where the reservoir is arrangedon a vehicle the amount of contaminants in the ambient air may vary dependingon where the vehicle is travelling. The contaminants in the liquid could causeproblems with, for example, pumps arranged to pump the liquid from thereservoir. lt may thus be desired to clean the air before entering the reservoir.This way, filtered unpolluted air may enter the reservoir.

The filter device may comprise a paper filter, a foam filter, a cotton filter or ametallic mesh filter. Since the valve device arranged in the air inlet port preventsliquid from leaking into the ventilation tube, there is a reduced risk that the filterdevice will be clogged by the liquid. The filter device can thereby be a simpler,less complex, and less expensive filter. As an example, the filter device maycomprise a conventional fuel filter. The filter device may be configured to enablefiltering of an airflow of around 2 decilitres per minute.

According to an example, the filter device is configured to be arranged at ahigher level than an inlet of the ventilation tube, such that the ambient air flowsupwards towards the filter device. Upwards may be defined as a directionopposite to the direction of gravity. The filter device being arranged at a higherlevel than the inlet of the ventilation tube means that the filter device is arrangedfurther away from the ground on which the vehicle is standing, than the inlet ofthe ventilation tube. By arranging the filter device at a higher level, the ambientair will be forced to flow upwards through the ventilation tube and heavierparticles in the ambient air may thereby automatically be separated from the air.The pressure causing the ambient air to flow through the ventilation tubetowards the reservoir may not be enough to lift the heavier particles. The heavierparticles will thereby fall downwards, out from the ventilation tube. Thus, byarranging the filter device at a higher level, the largest particles will have beenremoved before reaching the filter device and the filter device will thereby not 12 have to handle those particles. The risk of clogging the filter device is therebyfurther reduced. This means that the filter device can be a simple, less expensive filter.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, an arrangement for supplying a liquidon a vehicle is provided. The arrangement comprises: a reservoir foraccommodating a liquid; a pump for retrieving liquid from the reservoir; and aconduit arranged between the reservoir and the pump, wherein the reservoircomprises an air inlet port connected to the ambient air, such that when thepump draws liquid from the reservoir, ambient air is entering the reservoir, andwherein the arrangement further comprises a ventilation arrangement asdescribed herein. The arrangement for supplying a liquid thus comprises aventilation tube configured to lead ambient air into the reservoir via the air inletport of the reservoir; and a valve device configured to be connected to theventilation tube for leading ambient air into the reservoir. The valve device isalso configured to be arranged in the air inlet port of the reservoir to connect theventilation tube and the reservoir, wherein the valve device is configured to bein an open state to allow air supply into the reservoir when the pressure insidethe reservoir is lower than the ambient pressure. lt will be appreciated that allthe features and examples described for the ventilation arrangement aspect arealso applicable to the arrangement for supplying a liquid aspect. Thearrangement for supplying a liquid on a vehicle may be referred to as an arrangement for supplying urea on a vehicle.

The present disclosure will now be further illustrated with reference to the appended figures.

Figure t scherriaticaiiy shows a side view of a vehicle i oornprisirig a oroouisioriunit 2. The vehioie i aiso comprises ah arrangement for suppiying a iiquid tÛG,wherein the arrarigeiheht for euppiying a iiquid tili) comprises a vehtiiatioharrangement 1G. The arrangement for suppiying a iiqoid iüí) may be part of ahexhaust aftertreatriieht system. The arrangement for suppiying a iiquid 100 and 13 the ventilation arrangement 10 are further described in Figure 2, 3, 4a~c and 5a-c. The liquid may be fuel or urea. The vehicle 1 may be a heavy vehicle, e.g. atruck or a bus. The vehicle 1 may alternatively be a passenger car. The vehiclemay be manually operated, remotely operated or autonomously operated.

Figure 2 schematically illustrates an arrangement for supplying a liquid 100according to an example. The arrangement for supplying a liquid 100 will herebybe referred to as the supply arrangement 100. The supply arrangement 100comprises: a reservoir 120 for accommodating a liquid L; a pump 122 forretrieving liquid L from the reservoir 120; and a conduit 124 arranged betweenthe reservoir 120 and the pump 122. The reservoir 120 comprises an air inletport 126 connected to the ambient air, such that when the pump 122 draws liquidL from the reservoir 120, ambient air is entering the reservoir 120. The reservoir120 also comprises a filling opening 128 configured for filling the reservoir 120with liquid. The air inlet port 126 is arranged at a higher level than the fillingopening 128. This way, there will always be air at the top of the reservoir 120,above the liquid level.

The supply arrangement100 may further comprise a ventilation arrangement 10.

The ventilation arrangement 10 may comprise a ventilation tube 12 configuredto lead ambient air into the reservoir 120 via the air inlet port 126, and a valvedevice 20. The valve device 20 is connected to the ventilation tube 12 and isarranged in the air inlet port 126 of the reservoir 120 to connect the ventilationtube 12 and the reservoir 120. The valve device 20 is configured to be in anopen state to allow ambient air supply into the reservoir 120 when the pressureinside the reservoir 120 is lower than the ambient pressure. Thus, when liquid Lis withdrawn from the reservoir 120 by means of the pump 122, anunderpressure is created in the reservoir 120, which opens the valve device 20and ambient air sucked into the reservoir 120 via the ventilation tube 12 and thevalve device 20 in the air inlet port 126. The valve device 20 will be further described with regard to Figure 3, Figure 4a-c and Figure 5a-c. 14 The ventilation arrangement 10 may further comprise a filter device 30 arrangedin fluid communication with the ventilation tube 12, upstream of the valve device20. The filter device 30 may be arranged in the ventilation tube 12. Thus, theambient air flowing inside the ventilation tube 12 will pass through the filterdevice 30 before continuing to the valve device 20. The filter device 30 may bean air filter. The filter device 30 may comprise a paper filter, a foam filter, a cottonfilter or a metallic mesh filter. As an example, the filter device 30 for filtering theambient air may comprise a conventional fuel filter. The filter device 30 may beconfigured to filter an airflow of around 2 decilitres per minute.

The filter device 30 may be arranged at a higher level than an inlet 14 of theventilation tube 12, such that the ambient air flows upwards towards the filterdevice 30. This way, heavier particles will fall downwards, out from theventilation tube 12 via the inlet 14, before reaching the filter device 30.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates details from a ventilation arrangement 10according to an example. The ventilation arrangement 10 is comprised in asupply arrangement 100 and is configured as disclosed in Figure 2. Figure 3shows the valve device 20 of the ventilation arrangement 10, arranged in the airinlet port 126 of the reservoir 120. The air inlet port 126 is formed in a wall 130of the reservoir 120. ln this figure, the valve device 20 is not connected to theventilation tube 12. However, the valve device 20 is connected to anipple/connector 40. The ventilation arrangement 10 may thus comprise anipple/connector 40 for connecting the ventilation tube 12 to the valve device .

The valve device 20 may comprise an elastic/resilient body 22 with a passage24 extending between a first end 26 and a second end 28 of the body 22. Thevalve device 20 is arranged with the first end 26 outside the reservoir 120 andthe second end 28 inside the reservoir 120. The valve device 20 thus extendsthrough the air inlet port 126. The elastic body 22 may have an essentiallycylindrical shape. The valve device 20 may thus be referred to as a bushing, sleeve or similar. The nipple/connector 40 is connected to the valve device 20at the first end 26 of the body 22. The valve device body 22 may comprise rubber, silicone or some other sort of elastomer.

Figures 4a-c schematically illustrates the valve device 20 according to anexample. The valve device 20 may be configured as disclosed in Figure 2 andFigure 3. Figure 4b shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the valve device20 and Figure 4c shows a view of the valve device 20 seen from the second end28. The elastic body 22 of the valve device 20 may thus have an essentiallycylindrical shape. The body 22 may thereby have a curved circumferential wall23 surrounding the passage 24. ln this example, the body 22 comprises a firstportion 22” including the first end 26 and a second portion 22”” including thesecond end 28. The valve device 20 may thus be configured to be arranged withthe first portion 22” in the air inlet port 126 and the second portion 22”” extendinginside the reservoir 120. The passage 24 extending through the body 22 extendsthrough the first portion 22” and the second portion 22”” as shown in Figure 4b.

The valve device 20 may comprise a flange portion 29 at the first end 26 of thebody 22. The flange portion 29 may be referred to as a stop portion. The flangeportion 29 may thus be configured to restrict movement of the body 22 in theaxial direction, in direction into the inside of the reservoir 120. The flange portionextends radially (outwardly) essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinalextension of the body 22. As seen in Figure 2, the valve device 20 is configuredto be arranged in the air inlet port 126 with the flange portion 29 abutting theoutside of the reservoir wall 130 surrounding the air inlet port 126.

The second end 28 of the second portion 22”” is closed. Thus, the second portion22”” comprises an end wall 27 extending essentially perpendicularly to thelongitudinal extension of the body 22 and closing the second end 28. The secondportion 22”” of the body 22 comprises an openable and closable slot 50. The slot50 may be referred to as a cut or slit, which can be open or closed. The slot 50is suitably arranged in communication with the passage 24 in the body 22. Thus, 16 when the valve device 20 is arranged in the reservoir 120 and the slot 50 is open,the passage 24 will be in fluid communication with the inside of the reservoir 120.Ambient air can thereby be supplied into the reservoir 120. The slot 50 is in thisfigure arranged in the end wall 27 of the second portion 22” but the slot 50 mayalternatively be arranged in the circumferential wall 23 of the second portion 22”.The slot 50 is opened when the pressure inside the reservoir 120 is lower thanthe ambient pressure or when the pressure inside the reservoir 120 is higherthan the ambient pressure. The pressure difference will affect the elastic body22, such that the slot 50 is slightly opened. When the pressure inside thereservoir 120 is similar to the ambient pressure, the body 22 (valve device 20)will automatically return to the natural closed state where the slot 50 is closed.The closed slot 50 will thus not permit any gas or liquid to flow between thereservoir 120 and the ventilation tube 12. ln this figure, the second portion 22”comprises two slots 50 forming a cross.

As shown in Figure 4b, the passage 24 through the body 22 may have ahomogenous transverse (radial) cross-sectional area A from the first end 26 tothe second end 28. However, the first portion 22” may have a larger outerdiameter than the second portion 22”. The first portion 22” may thus comprise athicker circumferential wall 23 than the second portion 22”.

Figures 5a-c schematically illustrates the valve device 20 according to anexample. The valve device 20 may be configured as disclosed in Figure 2 andFigure 3. Figure 5b shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the valve device20 and Figure 5c shows a view of the valve device 20 seen from the second end28. The elastic body 22 of the valve device 20 may thus have an essentiallycylindrical shape. The body 22 may thereby have a curved circumferential wall23 surrounding the passage 24. ln this example, the body 22 comprises a firstportion 22” including the first end 26 and a second portion 22” including thesecond end 28. The valve device 20 may thus be configured to be arranged withthe first portion 22” in the air inlet port 126 and the second portion 22” extendinginside the reservoir 120. The passage 24 extending through the body 22 extends 17 through the first portion 22” and the second portion 22” as shown in Figure 5b.ln this example, specifically the first portion 22' has a cylindrical shape.

The valve device 20 may comprise a flange portion 29 at the first end 26 of thebody 22. The flange portion 29 may be referred to as a stop portion. The flangeportion 29 may thus be configured to restrict movement of the body 22 in theaxial direction, in direction into the inside of the reservoir 120. The flange portionextends radially (outwardly) essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinalextension of the body 22. As seen in Figure 2, the valve device 20 is configuredto be arranged in the air inlet port 126 with the flange portion 29 abutting the outside of the reservoir wall 130 surrounding the air inlet port 126.

The second end 28 of the second portion 22” is closed. Thus, the second portion22” comprises an end wall 27 extending essentially perpendicularly to thelongitudinal extension of the body 22 and closing the second end 28. The secondportion 22” of the body 22 comprises an openable and closable slot 50. The slot50 may be referred to as a cut or slit, which can be open or closed. The slot 50is suitably arranged in communication with the passage 24 in the body 22. Thus,when the valve device 20 is arranged in the reservoir 120 and the slot 50 is open,the passage 24 will be in fluid communication with the inside of the reservoir120.Ambient air can thereby be supplied into the reservoir 120. The slot 50 is in thisfigure arranged in the end wall 27 of the second portion 22”. The slot 50 isopened when the pressure inside the reservoir 120 is lower than the ambientpressure or when the pressure inside the reservoir 120 is higher than theambient pressure. The pressure difference will affect the elastic body 22, suchthat the slot 50 is slightly opened. When the pressure inside the reservoir 120 issimilar to the ambient pressure, the body 22 (valve device 20) will automaticallyreturn to the natural closed state where the slot 50 is closed. The closed slot 50will thus not permit any gas or liquid to flow between the reservoir 120 and theventilation tube 12. 18 As shown in Figure 5b, the passage 24 through the body 22 has a varyingtransverse cross-sectional area. The second portion 22”, and thus the passage24 in the second portion 22”, tapers towards the second end 28. The secondportion 22” may be essentially conically shaped. The second portion 22” isherein essentially flat at the second end 28. The second portion 22” may thuscomprise a tapered section 222 and a flat section 223. ln this case, the end wall27 closing the second end 28 may extend outwardly from the flat section 223 asa flange. Furthermore, in this example, the passage 24 in the first portion 22”diverges in direction towards the second portion 22”. Suitably, the passage 24in the first portion 22” comprises a cylindrical section 242 and a diverging section243.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present inventionis provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes. lt is not intended to beexhaustive or to restrict the invention to the variants described. l\/lanymodifications and variations will obviously be apparent to one skilled in the art.The embodiments have been chosen and described in order best to explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications and hence make itpossible for specialists to understand the invention for various embodiments andwith the various modifications appropriate to the intended use.

Claims

1. A ventilation arrangement (10) for a reservoir (120) accommodating a liquid(L) in form of urea,, the ventilation arrangement (10) comprising: a ventilation tube (12) configured to lead ambient air into thereservoir (120) via an air inlet port (126) of the reservoir (120); and a valve device (20) which is being configured to be connected to theventilation tube (12) for leading ambient air into the reservoir (120),characterized in that the valve device (20) is configured to be arranged in anair inlet port (126) of the reservoir (120) to connect the ventilation tube (12) andthe reservoir (120), wherein the valve device (20) is configured to be in an openstate to allow air supply into the reservoir (120) when the pressure inside thereservoir (120) is lower than the ambient pressure wherein the valve device (20)comprises an elastic body (22) with a passage (24) extending between a firstend (26) and a second end (28) of the body (22), the valve device (20) beingconfigured to be arranged with the first end (26) outside the reservoir (120) andthe second end (28) inside the reservoir (120).

2. The arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the body (22) comprisesa first portion (22') including the first end (26) and a second portion (22")including the second end (28).

3. The arrangement (10) according to claim 2, wherein the second portion (22") comprises a slot (50).

4. The arrangement (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first portion (22')is configured to form a sealing between the ventilation tube 12 and the reservoir(120) in the air inlet port (126).

5. The arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereinthe valve device (20) is configured to open when the pressure differencebetween the pressure inside the reservoir (120) and the ambient pressure iswithin the range of 0,1-0,3 bar. |3o

6. The arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein thepassage (šèfëëgﬁ) has a homogenous transverse cross-sectional area (A) fromthe first end (26) to the second end (28).

7. The arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 2-ëgå, wherein thesecond portion (22") tapers towards the second end (28).

8. The ventilation arrangement (10) according to claim 1, further comprising:a filter device (30) arranged in fluid communication with theventilation tube (12), upstream of the valve device (20).

9. The ventilation arrangement (10) according to claim 8, wherein the filterdevice (30) comprises a paper filter, a foam filter, a cotton filter or a metallicmesh filter.

10. The ventilation arrangement (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the filterdevice (30) is arranged at a higher level than an inlet (14) of the ventilation tube(12), such that the ambient air flows upwards towards the filter device (30).

11. 1 1 .An arrangementforsupplying a liquid (100) on a vehicle (1), the arrangement(100) comprising: a reservoir (120) for accommodating the liquid (L); a pump (122) for retrieving the liquid (L) from the reservoir (120); and a conduit (124) arranged between the reservoir (120) and the pump (122),wherein the reservoir (120) comprises an air inlet port (126) connected to theambient air, such that when the pump (122) draws liquid (L) from the reservoir(120), air is entering the reservoir (120), wherein the arrangement (100) furthercomprises a ventilation arrangement (10) according to any one of claims ßflflfﬁ.

12. Use of a ventilation arrangement (10) according to any one of claims ßlijg, for ventilating a reservoir (120) accommodating urea (L).

13. A vehicle (1) characterized in that it comprises an arrangement forsupplying a liquid (100) according to claim 11.