WO2018114815A1

WO2018114815A1 - Coupling element of a crankcase ventilation device

Info

Publication number: WO2018114815A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/083338
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oliver Fischer; Jochen Friz; Burkhardt Mayer; Maximilian Sommer
Original assignee: Mahle International Gmbh
Priority date: 2016-12-22
Filing date: 2017-12-18
Publication date: 2018-06-28
Also published as: DE102016226019A1; DE102016226019B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling element (45) for a crankcase ventilation device of an internal combustion engine, having a pipe section (46), on the first longitudinal end (47) of which there is a first connector (50) for insertion into a cylindrical, first connector receptacle (51), formed on an oil separator (25) of the crankcase ventilation device (20), and on the second longitudinal end (48) of which there is a second connector (52) for insertion into a cylindrical, second connector receptacle (53), formed on a fresh air distributor (42) of the internal combustion engine (1). The risk of damage can be reduced if the first connector (50) and the second connector (52) each have an outer contour (59, 60) which are designed and/or formed to equalize eccentricities (58) and/or inclinations between a first longitudinal center axis (55) of the first connector receptacle (51) and a second longitudinal center axis (57) of the second connector receptacle (53).

Description

Coupling element of a crankcase ventilation device

The present invention relates to a coupling element for a crankcase ventilation device of an internal combustion engine with the features of the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a crankcase ventilation device, which is equipped with such a coupling element. The invention further relates to an internal combustion engine which is equipped with such a crankcase ventilation device.

From DE 10 2013 001 389 B4 a coupling element for a crankcase ventilation device of an internal combustion engine is known. The known coupling element has a tube piece, at the first longitudinal end of which a first connection piece is formed and at the second longitudinal end of which a second connection piece is formed. The first nozzle is used for insertion into a cylindrical first nozzle receiving, which may be formed on a Ölnebelabscheider the crankcase ventilation device. The second nozzle is used for insertion into a cylindrical second nozzle receptacle, which may be formed on a fresh air manifold of the internal combustion engine. In the known coupling element of the first nozzle has radially outwardly a cylindrical outer contour which is shaped complementarily to the cylindrical inner contour of the first nozzle holder, so that the first nozzle with as little radial play in the first nozzle holder is axially inserted. The second nozzle is formed in the known coupling element so that a tube designed as a second nozzle receptacle is attachable to the second nozzle. The second nozzle has on its radial outer side barb-like structures, which cause an axial securing of the plugged hose. This hose may be connected to the fresh air manifold or to a fresh air duct leading to the fresh air manifold. In another installation situation, it may be necessary to form the second nozzle receptacle directly on the fresh air line or on the fresh air manifold, so that no flexible hose between oil mist separator and fresh air manifold can be used. In this case, the coupling element with the first port must be inserted into the formed on the oil separator first nozzle receptacle and the second port in the formed on the fresh air line or the fresh air manifold second nozzle receptacle. This allows a particularly compact design can be realized.

With optimum assembly, a first longitudinal central axis of the cylindrical first nozzle receptacle and a second longitudinal central axis of the cylindrical second nozzle receptacle are aligned coaxially with one another so that they coincide. The problem, however, is that during operation of the internal combustion engine thermally induced expansion effects cause the fresh air manifold and the oil mist can change their relative position to each other. In particular, can change in the relative position between the first nozzle receiving and second nozzle receiving. For example, the first longitudinal central axis and the second longitudinal central axis can then fall apart, ie be arranged eccentrically to one another. Additionally or alternatively, the change in the relative position of the two nozzle receptacles can lead to the longitudinal center axes aligned parallel to one another in the starting state being now inclined relative to one another and having an angle different from 0 °, 180 ° and 360 °. If the coupling element is inserted radially backlash in the first nozzle receptacle with the first piece and is inserted radially backlash in the second nozzle receptacle with the second piece, the above relative movements are hindered, but this leads to high voltages within the coupling element and within the nozzle receptacles. Such high voltages can cause cracks and ultimately lead to a failure of the coupling element or the respective nozzle holder. As a result, there is a risk of leakage, which is undesirable in any case.

The present invention is concerned with the problem of providing an improved embodiment for a coupling element of the aforementioned type or for a crankcase ventilation device equipped therewith or for a combustion engine equipped therewith, which is characterized in particular by the fact that the risk of damage in the Area of the coupling element is reduced.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the general idea to provide the first nozzle and the second nozzle each with an outer contour which is shaped or designed so that they compensate for eccentricities and / or angles between a first longitudinal center axis of the first nozzle receiving and a second Longitudinal axis allows the second nozzle receptacle.

Particularly advantageous is an embodiment in which the first nozzle and the second nozzle each have a spherical outer contour. The spherical outer contour of the respective nozzle defined within the associated cylindrical nozzle receiving a pivot point about which the coupling element is pivotally mounted. Thus, during operation of the internal combustion engine, the two nozzle receivers can move relative to one another three-dimensionally, wherein the coupling element can compensate for or compensate for these movements, without causing an increased material load comes. A "spherical" outer contour is understood to mean a ball-shaped, in particular spherical, outer contour. It is clear that in this case no complete ball is required, so that ball segments or ball segments are sufficient to form such a spherical outer contour.

In an advantageous embodiment of the respective nozzle may have a radially outwardly projecting, circumferential first annular web and axially spaced therefrom have a radially outwardly projecting, circumferential second annular web. The two ring lands limit axially a sealing groove for receiving a sealing ring. In the inserted state, the sealing ring seals the respective connection with respect to the associated connection piece receptacle. The two ring lands have radially outside each an outer surface. These outer surfaces of the two annular webs each form a part of the associated outer contour on the respective connecting piece, which in particular can be crowned. The outer surfaces of the annular webs may be conical, ie frusto-conical, or be designed spherical segment-shaped. This configuration of the outer surfaces of the annular webs a collision of the annular webs is avoided with the cylindrical inner wall of the associated nozzle receiving, when the coupling element is pivoted within this nozzle receptacle about the center of the outer contour.

According to another embodiment it can be provided that at least one of the neck, preferably the first neck, has a radially outwardly projecting, circumferential third annular land, which is axially spaced from the respective second annular land and with this second annular land a securing groove for receiving a locking ring axially limited, wherein the locking ring axially secures the respective nozzle in the associated nozzle receptacle in the inserted state. With this measure, the coupling element can be mounted on the oil mist separator as part of a pre-assembly. lent the installation of Olnebelabscheiders on the internal combustion engine simplified. The associated nozzle receptacle then contains an engagement groove complementary to the circlip into which the circlip positively engages when the respective nozzle has reached a predetermined penetration depth. As a result, a positive axial locking of the respective nozzle is achieved in the associated nozzle receiving. It is clear that this axial securing is designed so that it does not hinder the above-described relative movements of the respective nozzle in the associated nozzle receptacle. In particular, the axial securing can be equipped for this purpose with appropriate game.

Another embodiment provides that at least one of the neck, preferably the first neck, an axially projecting, coaxial with the pipe section ring has its radial and axial outer surface forms part of the outer contour of the respective nozzle, which is preferably spherical, in particular spherical segment-shaped , This measure simplifies an adaptation of the coupling element to a first nozzle receptacle, which has a concave, in particular spherical segment-shaped or dome-shaped depression in the region of an outlet opening for oil-free blow-by gas. In this recess, the ring engages or protrudes axially when the respective nozzle has reached its predetermined insertion depth in the associated nozzle receiving.

In a further development, the respective ring may have radially outward a plurality of webs distributed in the circumferential direction, whose radial and axial outer surfaces each form part of the, in particular crowned, outer contour of the respective neck. The provision of the webs generates gaps in the circumferential direction between adjacent webs, which avoid accumulation of material in the region of the ring during the production of the pipe section by means of injection molding technology. Another embodiment provides that the coupling element is designed as a vent valve of the crankcase ventilation device or has such. This gives the coupling element a valuable additional function for the crankcase ventilation device. With the help of such a vent valve, for example, a flow limiting function can be realized, which limits the influx of blow-by gas to the fresh air line or the fresh air manifold to a predetermined volume flow. Additionally or alternatively, such a vent valve can fulfill the function of a non-return valve, for example, to avoid a false flow of charge air through the crankcase ventilation device to the crankcase in a supercharged internal combustion engine at full load.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a valve member may be arranged axially adjustable in the pipe section of the coupling element designed as a vent valve, which is adjustable in a closed position in which the valve member closes a formed at the first longitudinal end of the pipe section first passage opening. As a result, for example, a non-return function can be realized. In particular, for this purpose, the valve member can be adjusted by a flowing from the second longitudinal end in the direction of the first longitudinal end gas flow in the closed position.

Another embodiment provides that at the second longitudinal end of the pipe section, a sleeve is inserted into the pipe section, which has a second passage opening provided at the second longitudinal end. The sleeve represents with respect to the pipe section a separate component and is detachably or permanently connected to the pipe section. For example, the sleeve can be screwed to the pipe piece, glued, latched or welded. Another embodiment proposes to equip the valve member with a control mandrel, which penetrates axially into the second passage opening formed in the sleeve and with increasing penetration depth increasingly reduces a flow-through cross section of the second passage opening. This allows the flow rate to be regulated. The control mandrel preferably penetrates into the second passage opening against a spring force, so that the flow through the pipe piece from the first longitudinal end in the direction of the second longitudinal end drives the valve member, such that with increasing volume flow the control pin penetrates deeper into the second passage opening , As a result, the aforementioned flow limitation function is ultimately realized. Thus, the flow-through cross section of the second passage opening decreases with the penetration depth of the control pin, it can be provided that the control pin has an increasing in the direction of the first longitudinal end cross-section. Additionally or alternatively, the cross section of the second passage opening may increase in the direction of the first longitudinal end.

Another embodiment proposes to bias the valve member by means of a return spring in an initial position, which is axially spaced from the closed position and from which the valve member is adjustable in the direction of the second longitudinal end against spring force. In particular, this is a helical compression spring, which is arranged coaxially to the control pin and which can be supported on the sleeve.

A crankcase ventilation device according to the invention, which is suitable for an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, comprises an oil mist separator for separating oil from blow-by gas of the internal combustion engine. The oil mist separator has a clean gas outlet for blow-by gas, which is free of oil. This clean gas outlet has a cylindrical first Stutzen recording, in which a coupling element of the type described above is inserted with its first socket.

An internal combustion engine according to the invention, which may be arranged in particular in a motor vehicle, has in the usual way an engine block which contains at least one cylinder. The internal combustion engine is also equipped with a crankcase, which connects to the engine block and obtained in the during operation of the internal combustion engine blow-by gas. Furthermore, the internal combustion engine is equipped with a fresh air system for supplying fresh air to the respective cylinder, which has a fresh air line and / or a fresh air manifold, which is connected to a cylinder head adjoining the engine block. Further, the internal combustion engine is equipped with a crankcase ventilation device of the type described above, which dissipates accumulated in the crankcase, loaded with oil blow-by gas, freed by means of Ölnebelabscheiders of oil and freed from oil blow-by gas the fresh air system. In this case, the fresh air line or the fresh air manifold is equipped with a clean gas inlet for supplying the freed of oil blow-by gas having a cylindrical second nozzle receiving, in which the coupling element is inserted with its second nozzle.

Other important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated figure description with reference to the drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

Show, in each case schematically,

Fig. 1 is a greatly simplified schematic diagram of a schematic

Internal combustion engine with crankcase ventilation device,

2 shows a longitudinal section through a coupling region between a

Ölnebelabscheider the crankcase ventilation device and a fresh air component of the internal combustion engine,

3 is a sectional view as in Fig. 2, but in a different relative position,

4 shows a longitudinal section of a coupling element from the coupling region, in a closed position of a venting valve,

5 shows an axial view of the coupling element according to a viewing direction V in FIG. 4.

According to FIG. 1, an internal combustion engine 1, which is preferably arranged in a motor vehicle, comprises an engine block 2, which contains at least one cylinder 3, in which a piston 4 is arranged such that it can be adjusted in stroke. It is clear that the internal combustion engine 1 in the engine block 2 usually contains more than one, preferably also more than two cylinders 3. To the engine block 2 connects below a crankcase 5, while a cylinder head 6 at the top Motor block 2 connects. A usually existing cylinder head cover for covering the cylinder head 6 is not shown here. The respective piston 4 is drive-connected via a connecting rod 7 with a crankshaft 8, which is arranged in the crankcase 5. In the cylinder head 6 are usually gas exchange valves 9 for controlling the gas exchange operations. In the crankcase 5, an oil sump 10 is also included. For example, the crankcase 5 is closed downwards, ie from the side facing away from the engine block 2, by an oil pan 1 1, which usually receives the oil sump 10.

The internal combustion engine 1 also has a fresh air system 12 for supplying fresh air to the respective cylinder 3 and an exhaust system 13 for discharging exhaust gas from the respective cylinder 3. In the example, the internal combustion engine 1 is charged, so that here a charging device is provided, which is designed here as a turbocharger 14. The turbocharger 14 has a compressor 15 arranged in the fresh air system 12 and a turbine 16 arranged in the exhaust system 13, which is drive-connected in a suitable manner to the compressor 15. The fresh air system 12 includes an air filter 18 for filtering the fresh air. Further, downstream of the compressor 15, a charge air cooler 18 is arranged in the fresh air system 12, which is used for cooling the compressed air by means of the compressor 15, which is also referred to as charge air. For this purpose, the intercooler 18 may be coupled to a cooling circuit 19. Further, in the fresh air system 12, a throttle device not shown here may be arranged, which may be arranged, for example, downstream of the charge air cooler 18. The fresh air system 12 has a fresh air manifold 42, via which it is connected to the cylinder head 6. A fresh air line 89 supplies the fresh air to the fresh air manifold 42. Fresh air manifold 42 and fresh air line 89 form fresh air leading components of the fresh air system 12, which can be generally referred to below with the term fresh air component. The exhaust system 13 is connected via an exhaust manifold 43 to the cylinder head 6 and includes downstream of the turbine 16 in a conventional manner not shown here exhaust aftertreatment devices, such as catalysts, particulate filter and muffler.

The internal combustion engine 1 presented here is also equipped with a crankcase ventilation device 20, with the aid of blow-by gas 21, which accumulates during operation of the internal combustion engine 1 in the crankcase 5 and is indicated in Fig. 1 by arrows, sucked out of the crankcase 5 and the fresh air system 12 can be supplied. The crankcase ventilation device 20 comprises a raw gas path 22, a clean gas path 23, an oil return path 24 and a separation device 25. In the preferred embodiment presented here, the crankcase ventilation device 20 also has a delivery device 26.

The separation device 25 has a separator housing 27 and an oil separator 28 arranged in the separator housing 27 for separating oil from blow-by gas 21. The separator housing 27 has a raw gas inlet 29 for oil loaded blow-by gas 21, a clean gas outlet 130 for de-oiled blow-by gas, and an oil outlet 31 for oil separated from the blow-by gas. Further, in the separator housing 27, an oil collecting space 32 for separated oil is contained. The raw gas path 22 serves to supply the blow-by gas 21 charged with oil and leads from the crankcase 5 to the crude gas inlet 29 and through the crude gas inlet 29 to the oil separator 28. The clean gas path 23 serves to discharge the blow-by gas freed from the oil and leads from the oil separator 28 through the oil collection chamber 32 and through the clean gas outlet 30 to a discharge point 33, via which the clean gas path 23 is connected to the fresh air system 12. In the example of Fig. 1, the discharge point 33 is formed on the fresh air manifold 42. You can alternatively also on the fresh air line 89 or be formed on another fresh air component. However, a high-pressure-side positioning of the discharge point 33 at the fresh air system 12 is preferred in order to introduce the clean gas downstream of the compressor 15 into the fresh air system 12. The crankcase ventilation device 20 may optionally have, in addition to this high-pressure-side fasting point 33, a low-pressure-side introduction point, not shown here, via which clean gas upstream of the compressor 15 can be introduced into the fresh-air system 12. The two discharge points are then optionally activated or deactivated depending on the current operating state of the internal combustion engine 1, for example via corresponding valves.

The oil return path 24 serves for discharging the oil separated from the blow-by gas and leads from the oil separator 28 through the oil collecting space 32 and through the oil outlet 31 and ultimately to the oil sump 10. For example, the oil return path 24 can be connected to the oil sump 11.

Although in FIG. 1, the raw gas path is connected directly to the crankcase 5 for a simplified illustration, it is clear that the raw gas path 22 can also be connected to the internal combustion engine 1 at another point. For example, the raw gas path 22 may pass through the above-mentioned cylinder head cover, through the cylinder head 6, and through the engine block 2.

If, as here, the crankcase ventilation device 20 is equipped with such a conveyor 26, this conveyor 26 is used for sucking blow-by gas from the crankcase 5. Preferred here is the embodiment shown here, in which the conveyor 26 is integrated into the raw gas path 22 so that the raw gas path 22 passes through the conveyor 26. The conveyor 26 has a conveyor housing 34, which has a suction inlet 35 and a pressure outlet 36. In principle, the separating device 25 and the conveying device 26 can be separated as shown in FIG. rate components that have physically separate, separate housing, namely the separator housing 27 and the conveyor housing 34. However, preferred is an indicated in Fig. 1 with a broken line embodiment in which the separating device 25 and the conveyor 26 form a separation conveyor unit 37 having a device housing 38 which is provided jointly for the separator 25 and the conveyor 26. In this case, the separation housing 27 and the delivery housing 34 form integral components or portions or regions of the device housing 38. The device housing 38 has a housing inlet 39 formed by the suction inlet 35 of the delivery housing 34. Furthermore, the device housing 38 has a housing gas outlet 40, which is formed by the clean gas outlet 30 of the separator housing 37. Finally, the device housing 38 has a housing oil outlet 41, which is formed by the oil outlet 32 of the separator housing 27. Inside the device housing 38, the pressure outlet 36 of the conveyor housing 34 is fluidically connected to the raw gas inlet 29 of the separator housing 27.

According to FIGS. 1 to 3, in a coupling region 44, the oil mist separator 28 and the respective fresh air component, in this case the fresh air distributor 42, are fluidically coupled to one another to introduce the oil-free blow-by gas from the crankcase ventilation device 20 into the fresh air system 12. Here, a coupling element 45 is used, which is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

The coupling element 45 has a tubular piece 46 which is rectilinear and which has a first longitudinal end 47, a second longitudinal end 48 and a longitudinal central axis 49. At the first longitudinal end 47, a first nozzle 50 is formed, which is configured for insertion into a cylindrical first nozzle receiving 51, which is formed on the oil separator 28. Suitably, the clean gas outlet 30 the separator 25 equipped with this first nozzle receptacle 51. At the second longitudinal end 48, a second nozzle 52 is formed, which is configured for insertion into a cylindrical second nozzle receptacle 53. The second nozzle receptacle 53 is formed on the fresh air manifold 42 and may alternatively be formed on the fresh air line 89 or on another fresh air component. For example, a clean gas inlet of the fresh air distributor 42 has the second nozzle receptacle 53. This clean gas inlet is formed, for example, by the aforementioned introduction point 33. Accordingly, the clean gas inlet can also be designated 33 in the following.

The first nozzle holder 51 defines by its cylindrical portion 54 a first longitudinal central axis 55. The second nozzle holder 53 defined by its cylindrical portion 56 has a second longitudinal central axis 57. In an ideal assembly or initial situation shown in Fig. 2, the first longitudinal center axis 55 and extend second longitudinal central axis 57 parallel to each other and coaxial with each other so that they fall into each other. Furthermore, the coupling element 46 is coaxial with its longitudinal center axis 49 and aligned parallel thereto, so that the longitudinal center axis 49 of the pipe section 46 with the

Longitudinal center axes 55, 57 of the nozzle holders 51, 53 coincide.

FIG. 3 now shows another situation in which the relative position between the oil separator 28 and the fresh air distributor 42 has changed. As a result, there are also different relative positions between the first nozzle holder 51 and the second nozzle holder 53. These varying relative positions arise, for example, during operation of the internal combustion engine 1 due to thermally induced expansion effects. Regardless of the operation of the internal combustion engine, varying relative positions between the nozzle holders 51, 53 can also occur due to the unavoidable tolerance chain due to the manufacturing process. In the state of FIG. 3, only a one-dimensional displacement is indicated, which results in that the first longitudinal axis 55 and the second longitudinal axis 57 continue to run parallel to each other, but no longer fall on each other, but each other eccentrically, so are arranged spaced from each other. A corresponding eccentricity is designated 58 in FIG. 3. In principle, another relative position change is also conceivable in which, for example, an inclination between the two longitudinal center axes 55, 57 of the two socket receivers 51, 53 can be set. In any case, the first neck 50 has a first outer contour 59, and the second neck 52 has a second outer contour 60. These outer contours 59, 60 are geometrically shaped so that they compensate for the eccentricity 58 and possibly also an inclination between the longitudinal center axes 55, 57 can. In other words, the outer contours 59, 60 are shaped so that they allow for the coupling element 45 a mobility in the two nozzle receptacles 51, 53, which allows for balancing the eccentricity 58 and the possibly existing inclination between the longitudinal central axes 55, 57 , Accordingly, in Fig. 3, the coupling element 45 is rotated relative to the starting position shown in Fig. 2, so that it is tilted both with respect to the first nozzle holder 51 and with respect to the second nozzle holder 53. Accordingly, the longitudinal center axis 49 of the coupling element 45 includes a first angle 61 with respect to the first longitudinal center axis 55 and a second angle 62 with respect to the second longitudinal center axis 57. If, as here, the first longitudinal central axis 55 extends parallel to the second longitudinal central axis 57, the first angle 61 is the same size as the second angle 62.

The adjustability of the coupling element 45 in the respective nozzle receptacle 51, 53 can be realized in a particularly simple manner by designing the two outer contours 59, 60 to be spherical, ball-shaped and, in particular, spherical. In the following, details will be discussed with reference to FIG. 4, which can also be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, but are only indicated in FIG. 4 by corresponding reference numerals. For example, the first nozzle 50 and the second nozzle 52 each have a radially outwardly projecting, circumferential first annular web 63 and axially spaced thereto have a radially outwardly projecting, circumferential second annular web 64. In each nozzle 50, 52, the first annular rib 63 and the second annular rib 64 define a sealing groove 65 into which a sealing ring 66 is inserted. The respective first annular rib 63 has a radially outer first outer surface 67. The respective second annular rib 64 has a radially outer outer surface 68. In both nozzles 50, 52, the two outer surfaces 67, 68 each form part of the outer contour 59 and 60 of the As can be seen from FIG. 4, the first annular web 63 may have a crowned or spherical segment-shaped first outer surface 67, at least in the case of the first connecting piece 50. In the second nozzle 52, the first outer surface 67 of the first annular web 63 is at least partially conical. In the first neck 50, the second outer surface 68 of the second annular web 64 is partially spherical and partially conical. The conical or crowned configuration of the respective outer surface 67, 68 makes it possible to tilt the coupling element 45 when the connecting pieces 50, 52 are inserted into the respective nozzle receptacle 51, 53, without causing a collision between the outer surfaces 67, 68 and an unspecified one Inner wall of the respective nozzle holder 51, 53 comes.

The first nozzle 50 also has a radially outwardly projecting, circumferential third annular web 69, which is axially spaced from the respective second annular web 64, so that it axially bounds a securing groove 70 with this second annular web 64. In this securing groove 70, a locking ring 71 is inserted, which has a break 72 in the circumferential direction according to FIG. 5, so that it can be elastically deformed to a smaller outer cross section. This takes place when inserting the first nozzle 50 into the first nozzle holder 51, which contains on its inside a corresponding engagement groove 73 in which the retaining ring 71 can relax, resulting in an efficient axial securing of the coupling element 45 in the first nozzle holder 51. Securing groove 70, retaining ring 71 and engagement groove 73 are coordinated so that the above-described mobility of the first nozzle 50 in the first nozzle holder 51 is not hindered thereby.

4 and 5, at least the first nozzle 50 has an axially projecting, coaxial with the pipe section 46 arranged ring 74. Also this ring

74 has a radial and axial outer surface 75, which forms part of the outer contour 59 of the first nozzle 50. In particular, this outer surface 75 can thus be configured spherical or spherical segment-shaped. The ring 74 may have radially outward a plurality of webs 76 which are distributed in the circumferential direction and spaced from each other. These webs 76 each have a radial and axial outer surface 77, which form part of the outer contour 59 of the first nozzle 50. Thus, the respective outer surface 77 of the respective web 76 may be spherical or spherical segment-shaped.

2 and 3, the first nozzle receptacle 51 at the transition to the oil separator 25 have a concave recess 78 or dome 78, in which the ring 74 dips axially. Due to the spherical shape of the outer surfaces

75 and 77 of the ring 74, the first port 50 and thus the entire coupling element 45 can pivot in spite of this axial engagement between the ring 74 and dome 78 in the first nozzle receptacle 71.

The above-described mobility of the first nozzle 50 in the first nozzle holder 51 is limited here by a stop contour 90 which is formed on the first nozzle 50 or on the tubular body 46 and at maximum Gift to a cone 91 of the first nozzle holder 51 comes to rest. This cone 91 also serves to simplify the insertion of the first nozzle 50, in which at the same time the locking ring 71 must be compressed radially.

In the preferred embodiment shown here, the coupling element 45 is designed as a vent valve 79 which is designed so that it limits the inflow of blow-by gas to the fresh air manifold 42 to a predetermined amount or for a predetermined volume flow. In addition, a return flow of charge air into the oil separator 25 is blocked by means of the venting valve 79.

In the pipe section 46, a valve member 80 is arranged axially adjustable. The valve member 80 is adjustable from a starting position, which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in a closed position, which is shown in Fig. 4. In the closed position, the valve member 80 closes a first passage opening 81, which is formed at the first longitudinal end 47 of the pipe section 46. For this purpose, a head 82 of the valve member 80 come to rest on an annular step 83 which is formed in the tubular body 46 and which forms a border for the first passage opening 81.

The coupling element 45 also has a sleeve 84 which is inserted into the tube piece 46 at the second longitudinal end 48 and which has a second passage opening 85 positioned at the second longitudinal end 48. The sleeve 84 is fixedly connected to the tubular body 46 in a suitable manner. The valve member 80 has a control pin 86 which penetrates axially into the second passage opening 85. In this case, the control mandrel 86 has a slightly conical outer cross section, so that its cross section increases in the direction of the head 82. This means that the control mandrel 86 with increasing penetration depth into the second throughput 85, a flow-through cross-section 87 of the second passage opening 85 increasingly reduced. It is expediently provided that the control mandrel 86 does not block the flow-through cross-section 87 even at maximum penetration depth, so that a flow in the direction of the fresh-air distributor 42 can always take place.

Suitably, the valve member 80 is biased by a return spring 88 in the starting position. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, this initial position is axially spaced from the closed position shown in FIG. From this initial position, the valve member 80 is adjustable in the direction of the second longitudinal end 48, so that the control mandrel 86 increasingly dips into the passage opening 85. In this case, the return spring 88 is tensioned with increasing penetration depth. Suitably, the return spring 88 is supported on the sleeve 84. If, on the other hand, there is a return flow in the direction of the oil separator 28, the return flow takes the valve member 80 with it and presses it into the closed position according to FIG. 4. The return spring 88 can be completely relaxed and lifted off the sleeve 84 and / or the valve member 80.

Claims

claims

1 . Coupling element for a crankcase ventilation device (20) of an internal combustion engine (1),

with a pipe section (46), at the first longitudinal end (47) of which a first nozzle (51) is formed for insertion into a cylindrical first intake (51) formed on an oil separator (25) of the crankcase ventilation device (20) and at its second longitudinal end (48) a second connecting piece (52) for insertion into a cylindrical, on a fresh air line (89) or on a fresh air manifold (42) of the internal combustion engine (1) formed second nozzle receptacle (53) is formed,

characterized,

in that the first connecting piece (50) and the second connecting piece (52) each have an outer contour (59, 60) which is used to compensate eccentricities (58) and / or inclinations between a first longitudinal central axis (55) of the first connecting piece receiver (51) and a second longitudinal central axis (57) of the second nozzle receiving means (53) are configured and / or shaped.

2. Coupling element according to claim 1,

characterized,

in that the outer contour (59) of the first connecting piece (50) and the outer contour (60) of the second connecting piece (52) are in each case crowned.

3. Coupling device according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized, - that the first port (50) and the second port (52) each have a radially outwardly projecting, circumferential first annular web (63) and axially spaced therefrom a radially outwardly projecting, circumferential second annular web (64) having a sealing groove ( 65) axially for receiving a sealing ring (66),

in that the respective first annular web (63) has a radially outer first outer surface (63) and the respective second annular web (64) has a radially outer second outer surface (68),

- That the first outer surface (67) and / or the second outer surface (68) at least a portion of the outer contour (59, 60) of the respective nozzle (50, 52) on the first nozzle (50) and the second nozzle (52).

4. Coupling element according to claim 3,

characterized,

the first connecting piece (50) and / or the second connecting piece (52) has a radially outwardly projecting, circumferential third annular web (69), which is axially spaced from the respective second annular web (64) and with this second

Ring web (64) axially delimits a securing groove (70) for receiving a securing ring (71), wherein the securing ring (71) axially secures the respective nozzle (50, 52) in the associated nozzle receptacle (51, 53) in the inserted state.

5. Coupling element according to claim 3 or 4,

characterized,

in that the first connecting piece (50) and / or the second connecting piece (52) has an axially projecting ring (74) arranged coaxially with the pipe section (46) whose radial and axial outer surface (75) forms part of the outer contour (59, 60). of the respective nozzle (50, 52) forms.

6. Coupling element according to claim 5,

characterized,

the respective ring (74) has radially outward a plurality of webs (76) distributed in the circumferential direction, whose radial and axial outer surfaces (77) each form part of the outer contour (59, 60) of the respective neck (50, 52).

7. Coupling element according to one of claims 1 to 6,

characterized,

the coupling element (45) is configured as or has a venting valve (79) of the crankcase ventilation device (20).

8. Coupling element according to claim 7,

characterized,

in that a valve member (80) is arranged in an axially adjustable manner in the pipe section (46), which is adjustable into a closed position, in which the valve member (80) closes a first passage opening (81) formed at the first longitudinal end (47).

9. Coupling element according to claim 8,

characterized,

the coupling element (45) has a second passage opening (85) in the region of the second longitudinal end (48).

10. Coupling element according to claim 9,

that at the second longitudinal end (48) a sleeve (84) is inserted into the pipe section (46), which has the second passage opening (85).

1 1. Coupling element according to claim 9 or 10,

characterized, the valve member (80) has a control pin (86) which penetrates axially into the second passage opening (85) and increasingly reduces a flow-through cross-section (87) of the second passage opening (85) with increasing penetration depth.

12. Coupling element according to one of claims 8 to 1 1,

characterized,

in that the valve member (80) is biased by means of a return spring (88) into an initial position, which is axially spaced from the closed position and from which the valve member (80) is adjustable against spring force towards the second longitudinal end (48).

13. Coupling element according to claims 9 and 12,

characterized,

the return spring (88) is supported on the sleeve (84).

14. crankcase ventilation device for an internal combustion engine (1), in particular of a motor vehicle,

- With an oil separator (28) for separating oil from blow-by gas of the internal combustion engine (1) having a clean gas outlet (30) for oil-free blow-by gas,

- Wherein the clean gas outlet (30) has a cylindrical first nozzle receptacle (51) into which a coupling element (45) according to one of the preceding claims with its first socket (50) is inserted.

15. Internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle,

with an engine block (2) containing at least one cylinder (3),

- With a crankcase (5) adjoining the engine block (2), in which blow-by gas is generated during operation of the internal combustion engine (1), - With a fresh air system (12) for supplying fresh air to the respective cylinder (3) having a fresh air manifold (42) which is connected to a cylinder head (6) adjoining the engine block (2),

- With a crankcase ventilation device (20) according to claim 14, which dissipates in the crankcase (5) accumulating, loaded with oil blow-by gas, freed from oil and freed from oil blow-by gas the fresh air system (12),

- wherein the fresh air manifold (42) or to the fresh air manifold (42) leading fresh air line (89) has a clean gas inlet (33) for supplying the oil-freed blow-by gas,

- Wherein the clean gas inlet (33) has a cylindrical second nozzle receptacle (53) into which the coupling element (45) with its second nozzle (52) is inserted.