阅读说明：本技术 用于机动车辆的液体存储装置 (Liquid storage device for a motor vehicle ) 是由 G·马甘 于 2020-03-13 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于机动车辆的液体存储装置(1-1),所述装置(1-1)包括：贮器(10),其包括底壁(11)；泵(20-1),其安装在形成于所述底壁(11)处的孔口处并且包括至少一个部分(21),所述至少一个部分(21)延伸穿过所述孔口(11A)并且包括至少一个吸嘴；过滤器(30-1),其安装在泵(20-1)的所述至少一个部分(21)上,位于所述至少一个吸嘴处；以及布置在贮器(10)内部、至少部分地布置在底壁(11)上的垫(40-1),所述垫(40-1)能够通过毛细作用移动液体并且包括所谓的“接触”部分(42),该“接触”部分在接触表面处与过滤器(30-1)接触,以便通过毛细作用将液体输送到所述过滤器(30-1)。(The invention relates to a liquid storage device (1-1) for a motor vehicle, said device (1-1) comprising: a receptacle (10) comprising a bottom wall (11); a pump (20-1) mounted at an orifice formed at the bottom wall (11) and comprising at least one portion (21), the at least one portion (21) extending through the orifice (11A) and comprising at least one suction nozzle; a filter (30-1) mounted on said at least one portion (21) of the pump (20-1) at said at least one suction nozzle; and a pad (40-1) arranged inside the reservoir (10), at least partially arranged on the bottom wall (11), said pad (40-1) being capable of moving liquid by capillary action and comprising a so-called "contact" portion (42) which is in contact with the filter (30-1) at a contact surface for transporting liquid to said filter (30-1) by capillary action.)

1. A device (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) for storing a liquid (5) for a motor vehicle, the device (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) comprising:

a reservoir (10) comprising a bottom wall (11),

-a pump (20-1, 20-2, 20-3) mounted at an orifice (11A) formed at the bottom wall (11) and comprising at least one portion (21), the at least one portion (21) extending through the orifice (11A) and comprising at least one suction nozzle, and

-a filter (30-1, 30-2, 30-3) mounted on said at least one portion (21) of said pump (20-1, 20-2, 20-3) at said at least one suction nozzle,

the device (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) is characterized in that it further comprises a pad (40-1, 40-2, 40-3) arranged inside the reservoir (10), at least partially on the bottom wall (11), the pad (40-1, 40-2, 40-3) being capable of moving the liquid (5) by capillary action and comprising a so-called "contact" portion (42) which is in contact with the filter (30-1, 30-2, 30-3) at a contact surface (50) in order to transport the liquid (5) to the filter (30-1, 30-2, 30-3) by capillary action.

2. Device (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) according to claim 1, wherein the contact between the contact portion (42) of the pad (40-1, 40-2, 40-3) and the filter (30-1, 30-2, 30-3) is produced by elasticity.

3. Device (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surface (50) between the contact portion of the pad (40-1, 40-2, 40-3) and the filter (30-1, 30-2, 30-3) is greater than one third of the total outer surface of the filter (30-1, 30-2, 30-3) that can be in direct contact with the liquid (5) contained in the reservoir (10).

4. Device (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the contact portion (42) of the pad (40-1, 40-2, 40-3) and the filter (30-1, 3),30-2, 30-3) is greater than 50 cm²。

5. The device (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pad (40-1, 40-3) comprises a single layer.

6. Device (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pad (40-2) comprises a first layer (40A) arranged on the bottom wall (11) and a second layer (40B) arranged on the first layer (40A).

7. Device (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) according to the preceding claim, wherein the density of the second layer (40B) is lower than the density of the first layer (40A).

8. Device (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter (30-1, 30-2, 30-3) extends along an axis or longitudinal plane orthogonal to the plane along which the bottom wall (11) of the receptacle (10) extends.

9. Device (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said (40-1, 40-2, 40-3) is fixed to said bottom wall (11) of said receptacle (10) using fastening means (60).

10. A motor vehicle comprising a storage device (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the delivery of a liquid stored in a reservoir to a pump, and more particularly to a liquid storage device for a motor vehicle comprising a reservoir and a pump mounted on a wall of the reservoir. The invention is particularly suitable for use in devices for storing aqueous or urea solutions in motor vehicles.

Background

Nowadays, certain motor vehicles with engines comprise, in a known manner, a storage device comprising a so-called "urea" reservoir, which allows urea solution to be injected into the gases emitted by the engine in order to reduce their hazard in the atmosphere. Also, some motor vehicles include a storage device that includes a so-called "water" reservoir, allowing an aqueous solution to be injected in order to control the temperature of certain engine components (e.g., combustion chambers or turbochargers) or to control the emission of harmful gases, such as, for example, nitrogen dioxide.

In known solutions, such a urea or water reservoir comprises, in a known manner, a pump mounted at an orifice formed at the bottom of the reservoir in order to suck up the liquid and convey it out of the reservoir so that it is introduced into a component of the vehicle (catalytic converter, combustion chamber, etc.) through an injector. In order to prevent debris or contaminants contained in the liquid from being sucked by the pump and clogging the ejector, it is known to place a filter between the liquid and the suction nozzle of the pump located in the reservoir.

However, problems arise when the vehicle is traveling on an inclined surface (e.g., on a hill). In fact, in this case, the partially filled reservoir is also inclined, so that in some cases the liquid may no longer come into contact with the filter, preventing it from being sucked up by the pump and sprayed, and then causing a loss of liquid availability due to uncontrolled air suction. In the case of urea reservoirs, failure to inject urea solution into the exhaust increases the pollution level of the vehicle, sometimes exceeding regulatory standards. In addition, failure to meet emission standards results in a reduction in engine performance, which can lead to its failure. In the case of a water reservoir, water injection failure can lead to overheating (e.g., in the combustion chamber or in the turbocharger), which can lead to a reduction in vehicle performance in order to protect the engine. In both cases, the known solutions consist in detecting a liquid injection fault and commanding the engine to shut down or to put its operation in a deliberately degraded mode, but this then presents also a significant drawback.

In addition, the development of vehicles increasingly leads to reducing the height of these reservoirs to make them as flat as possible in order to reduce their size and maintain the ground clearance of the vehicle, which tends to reduce the liquid level in the reservoir and makes it even more complicated to extract the liquid by pumping on inclined surfaces.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to remedy at least partially these drawbacks by proposing a simple, reliable and effective solution for aspirating liquids both when the reservoir is horizontal and when the reservoir is tilted within the allowed range of horizontal variation.

To this end, the invention firstly relates to a liquid storage device for a motor vehicle, said device comprising:

a reservoir comprising a bottom wall,

-a pump mounted at an aperture formed at the bottom wall and comprising at least one portion extending through the aperture and comprising at least one mouthpiece, and

-a filter mounted on said at least one part of the pump at said at least one suction nozzle,

said device is characterized in that it further comprises a pad (tapis) arranged inside the reservoir, at least partially on the bottom wall, said pad being able to move the liquid by capillary action and comprising a so-called "contact" portion which is in contact with the filter at the contact surface, in order to deliver the liquid to said filter by capillary action.

The drainage pad allows liquid to be easily delivered to the filter by capillary action to avoid pressure drop of the liquid in the pump when the reservoir is tilted. This delivery also allows the liquid to be permanently brought closer to the pump, so that the heat released by the pump in operation thaws the liquid or prevents it from freezing, as the case may be. The contact portion also advantageously allows to protect the filter from debris of larger dimensions by constituting a pre-filter, so as to prolong the service life of said filter. The mat also allows the vessel to be insulated from the interior to reduce heat loss, particularly when a convection heating module is mounted inside the vessel.

Preferably, the liquid is a urea solution, such as a mixture of urea and water or alcohol or water (with or without added agents for controlling bacterial growth).

According to one aspect of the invention, the pressure in the reservoir corresponds substantially to atmospheric pressure, and the liquid is not moved by the pressurized flow.

Preferably, the pad is made of a porous type material, such as foam, in particular of the "open-cell" type, such as synthetic material, polyurethane, polyethylene or any other suitable material providing the same function.

Advantageously, the contact between the contact portion of the pad and the filter is produced by elasticity.

As a variant or in addition, the device may comprise a clamping member, such as for example a strapping, a ring or a collar.

Preferably, the contact surface between the contact portion of the pad and the filter is greater than one third of the total outer surface of the filter capable of being in direct contact with the liquid contained in the receptacle. Thus, the pad increases the service life of the filter at the contact portion.

More preferably, the contact surface between the contact portion of the pad and the filter is greater than 50 cm²In order to efficiently drain the liquid towards the filter.

In one embodiment, the pad comprises a single layer to simplify the manufacture and cost of the device.

As a variant, the pad comprises a plurality of layers, allowing a plurality of functions.

In one embodiment, the pad includes a first layer disposed on the bottom wall and a second layer disposed on the first layer.

Preferably, the density of the second layer is less than the density of the first layer to allow for liquid storage by the second layer and liquid drainage by the first layer.

Advantageously, the density in terms of pores per inch of the first layer is between 40 ppi or pores per inch (15.7 pores/cm) and 50 ppi (19.7 pores/cm), for example about 45 ppi (17.7 pores/cm).

More advantageously, the density in terms of pores per inch of the second layer is between 25 ppi (9.8 pores/cm) and 35 ppi (13.8 pores/cm), for example about 30 ppi (11.8 pores/cm).

In one embodiment, the filter extends along an axis or longitudinal plane that is orthogonal to the plane along which the bottom wall of the receptacle extends.

In another embodiment, the filter extends along an axis or longitudinal plane that is parallel to the plane along which the bottom wall of the receptacle extends.

According to one feature of the invention, the pad is secured to the bottom wall of the receptacle using a fastening member. These fastening members may for example be in the form of a screw or clip system.

In one embodiment, the lowest density of the material comprising the mat is less than the density of urea.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a storage device as described above.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description. This description is purely illustrative and must be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[ FIG. 1 ]: FIG. 1 is a partial perspective and sectional view of a first embodiment of a device according to the present invention;

[ FIG. 2 ]: FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1;

[ FIG. 3 ]: FIG. 3 is a partial perspective and sectional view of a second embodiment of a device according to the present invention;

[ FIG. 4 ]: FIG. 4 is a partial perspective and sectional view of a third embodiment of a device according to the present invention;

[ FIG. 5 ]: fig. 5 is a partial perspective and sectional view of the apparatus of fig. 1 and 2 tilted with respect to the terrestrial horizon.

Detailed Description

A first embodiment of a liquid storage device 1-1 according to the invention is shown in fig. 1.

The device 1-1 according to the invention is intended to be installed in a motor vehicle (not shown) in order to store a liquid 5 (visible in fig. 5).

To this end, the device 1-1 includes a reservoir 10, a pump 20-1, a filter 30-1, and a liquid 5 delivery means in the form of a pad 40-1.

In this example, the pocket 10 is substantially parallelepiped-shaped. However, as a variant, the reservoir 10 may have any other shape, in particular a shape suitable for integrating it into a vehicle. The reservoir 10 comprises in particular a lower wall (called "bottom" wall 11), an upper wall 12, side walls 13 and an inlet tube 14 for the liquid 5, which in this example is mounted on one of the side walls 13 and allows the reservoir 10 to be filled with the liquid 5.

The reservoir 10 may contain a urea solution in order to control the emission of harmful gases (such as, for example, nitrogen dioxide) and thereby reduce the pollution level of the vehicle. The reservoir 10 may contain an aqueous solution in order to control the temperature in certain engine components (e.g., combustion chambers or turbochargers). The reservoir 10 may contain pressurized cleaning solution necessary for the proper functioning of driving assistance sensors, such as radar and cameras.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the pump 20-1 is installed at an orifice 11A formed at the bottom wall 11 of the reservoir 10. In this example, the pump 20-1 comprises a substantially cylindrical shaped portion 21 of circular section, extending through the orifice 11A, orthogonal to the plane of the bottom wall 11. The cylindrical portion 21 comprises a so-called "useful" outer surface 21-1 which is in contact with the filter 30-1 and to which one or more suction nozzles (not visible) for the liquid 5 open.

The filter 30-1 is mounted around the cylindrical portion 21 of the pump 20-1 and also extends through the aperture 11A of the bottom wall 11, orthogonally to the plane of the bottom wall 11. A filter 30-1 is mounted at the one or more suction nozzles to prevent debris or contaminants from entering the pump 20-1. Thus, the inner surface of the filter 30-1 is in contact with the useful outer surface 21-1 of the pump 20-1, while the outer surface of the filter 30-1 is directly exposed to the liquid 5 and the gas contained in the reservoir 10.

The pad 40-1 is disposed inside the receptacle 10 and includes a first portion 41 at least partially disposed on the bottom wall 11 of the receptacle 10. The pad 40-1 is made of a material that allows the liquid 5 contained in the reservoir 10 to move by capillary action. For example, the material may consist of a suction foam (mouse aerosol), for example with open cells made of, for example, polyurethane, polyether, polyester, polyurethane or any suitable material (so-called "open cells"). The density of the pad 40-1 in terms of pores per inch may be, for example, between 20 and 60 ppi (pores per inch), that is, substantially between 7.87 pores/cm and 23.62 pores/cm.

The pad 40-1 includes a second portion (referred to as a "contact" portion 42) that contacts the filter 30-1 at a contact surface 50 to transport the liquid 5 to the filter 30-1 via the contact surface 50 by capillary action. The contact surface 50 represents the interface between the contact portion 42 and the filter 30-1.

In this first embodiment, the pad 40-1 is curved so that the contact between the contact portion 42 of the pad 40-1 and the filter 30-1 is made by elasticity, but there is no specific pressure other than the contact itself, in order to ensure that the liquid 5 passes through the filter 30-1 efficiently. Thus, the contact portion 42 extends orthogonally to the first portion 41 of the pad 40-1, which is in contact with the bottom wall 11. It will be further noted that in another embodiment, the edges of the pad 40-1 may also at least partially cover the lower portion of the side walls 13, in order to increase the contact surface of the pad 40-1 with the liquid 5, especially when the receptacle 10 is inclined or almost free of liquid 5.

In this first embodiment, the device 1-1 may also include a clamping member (not shown), for example in the form of a strap, ring or collar, to hold the contact portion 42 of the pad 40-1 against the filter 30-1, particularly when the vessel 10 is tilted or subjected to vibration. The strapping may be made of, for example, plastic or any suitable material.

In this first embodiment, the pad comprises a single layer, the thickness of which is for example between 10 and 30 mm.

A second embodiment of the device 1-2 according to the invention is shown in fig. 3. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that: the filter 30-2 is mounted in a housing 22 formed in the cylindrical portion 21 of the pump 20-2, and the pad 40-2 includes two superposed layers 40A, 40B. The first layer 40A is arranged on the bottom wall 11 and the second layer 40B extends above the first layer 40A. First layer 40A includes a first portion 41A and a contact portion 42A, and second layer 40B includes a first portion 41B disposed on first portion 41A and a second portion 42B disposed on contact portion 42A. It will be noted here that the pump 20-2 and the filter 30-2 may also be the same as the pump 20-1 and the filter 30-1 of the first embodiment.

Preferably, the density of the second layer 40B is less than the density of the first layer 40A. Advantageously, the density per inch of porosity of the first layer 40A is between 40 and 50 ppi, for example about 45 ppi, and the density per inch of porosity of the second layer 40B is between 25 and 35 ppi, for example about 30 ppi.

This configuration allows the less dense second layer 40B to capture and retain the liquid 5, while the more dense first layer 40A is more efficient in transferring the liquid 5 to the filter 30-2. Thus, when the receptacle 10 is tilted, the second layer 40B may continue to supply its previously stored liquid 5 to the first layer 40A, such that the first layer 40A transfers it to the filter 30-2, which may prove particularly useful and effective, particularly when the receptacle 10 is nearly free of liquid 5.

In fig. 4 a third embodiment of the device 1-3 according to the invention is shown. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that: the filter 30-3 is in the form of a plate and the useful outer surface 21-1 of the filter 30-3 and the pump 20-3 extends into the aperture 11A of the bottom wall 11 of the reservoir 10 along a plane parallel to said bottom wall 11. In this third embodiment, therefore, the pad 40-3 extends entirely along a plane parallel to the plane of the bottom wall 11 of the receptacle 10 so as to partially cover the filter 30-3.

An example of an embodiment will now be described with reference to fig. 5, in which the device 1-1 of the first embodiment has been shown tilted with respect to the land level. In this case, the liquid 5 propagates by capillary action (arrows) from its location stored in the reservoir 10 into the first portion 41 and then into the contact portion 42 until it reaches the filter 30-1 via the contact surface 50. Thus, the liquid 5 can be efficiently transported to the pump 20-1 only by capillary action.

In all of the embodiments described above, the pads 40-1, 40-2, 40-3 may be secured to the bottom wall 11 of the receptacle 10 using a fastening member 60 (e.g., a clip or any other suitable device). Also, in all of the embodiments described above, the contact surface 50 between the contact portion 42 of the pad 40-1, 40-2, 40-3 and the filter 30-1, 30-2, 30-3 must be large enough to avoid a pressure drop of the liquid 5 passing through the pump 20-1, 20-2, 20-3. Preferably, the contact surface 50 is greater than one third of the total outer surface of the filters 30-1, 30-2, 30-3. For example, the contact surface 50 may be greater than or equal to 50 cm²。

The device 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 according to the invention thus allows to deliver the liquid 5 to the pump 20-1, 20-2, 20-3 both to avoid losses in the suction of the liquid 5 into the pump 20-1, 20-2, 20-3 and to use the heat emitted by the pump 20-1, 20-2, 20-3 to heat the portion of the liquid 5 in the vicinity of said pump 20-1, 20-2, 20-3, thus allowing in particular to reduce the risk of the liquid 5 freezing in the reservoir 10. Thus, the pads 40-1, 40-2, 40-3 according to the invention are a simple and effective means for efficiently delivering the liquid 5 to the pumps 20-1, 20-2, 20-3 at atmospheric pressure without any other additional mechanical devices, which makes the device simple, durable and inexpensive.