Cleaning equipment and method for cleaning the coolant of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device (10) for cleaning a coolant of a motor vehicle (12) having a circuit through which the coolant flows, with a line (14) through which the coolant flows, which has a first connection element (18) by means of which the line (14) of the cleaning device (10), which is designed separately from the motor vehicle (12) and as an additional part for the motor vehicle (12), can be connected to a first point (S1) of the circuit in a non-destructive manner and is thereby fluidically connected to the circuit, and a second connection element (20) by means of which the line (14) can be connected to a second point (S2) of the circuit arranged downstream of the first point (S1) in a non-destructive manner and is thereby fluidically connected to the circuit.At least one filter element (22) is also provided, arranged between the connection elements (18, 20), by means of which particles contained in the coolant flowing through the line (14) can be filtered out of the coolant to clean the coolant.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning device and a method for cleaning a cooling liquid of a motor vehicle.

[0002] DE 10 2012 009 558 A1 discloses an internal combustion engine device for a motor vehicle, comprising a coolant circuit having a crankcase which is intended to carry a coolant at least partially and at least one combustion chamber.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device and a method so that a cooling liquid of a motor vehicle can be cleaned particularly advantageously.

[0004] This object is achieved by a cleaning device having the features of patent claim 1 and by a method having the features of patent claim 6. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

[0005] A first aspect of the invention relates to a cleaning device, also referred to as a cleaning system or coolant cleaning system, for cleaning a cooling liquid, also referred to as coolant, of a motor vehicle having a circuit through which the cooling liquid can flow and also referred to as a cooling circuit, which motor vehicle is also simply referred to as a vehicle and is designed, for example, as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car. The cooling liquid can, for example, comprise at least water, so that the cooling liquid is also referred to as cooling water. In this case, the cleaning device is also referred to, for example, as a cooling water cleaning device and cooling water cleaning system. The cleaning device has a line through which the cooling liquid can flow, which is also referred to as a line element or is designed as a line element.The cleaning device is designed separately from the motor vehicle and as an additional part that is not part of the motor vehicle. In other words, the cleaning device according to the invention is not a component of the motor vehicle but rather an additional part, also referred to as an add-on solution, add-on, or add-on solution, which is connected to the motor vehicle, in particular, solely for the purpose of cleaning the coolant (coolant).

[0006] The line has a first connection element, by means of which the line can be non-destructively and detachably connected to a first point of the circuit and can thus be fluidically connected to the circuit at the first point. The line also has a second connection element, by means of which the line can be non-destructively and detachably connected to a second point of the circuit located downstream of the first point and can thus be fluidically connected to the circuit at the second point.The feature that the respective connection element, and thus the line, can be detachably connected to the respective location via the respective connection element in a non-destructive manner and thus fluidically connected to the circuit means that the respective connection element, and thus the line, can be mechanically connected to the motor vehicle and thereby fluidically connected to the circuit and then separated again from the motor vehicle and from the circuit without causing damage to or destruction to the line or the motor vehicle. Thus, the line can be and remain fluidically connected to the circuit via the connection elements while the coolant is cleaned by the cleaning device. After the coolant has been cleaned, the line can be detached from the motor vehicle and removed.The feature that the second location is arranged downstream of the first location means that the second location is arranged downstream of the first location in the flow direction of the coolant flowing through the circuit and is spaced apart from the first location.

[0007] The line also has at least or exactly one filter element arranged between the connecting elements, by means of which any particles contained in the cooling liquid flowing through the line can be filtered out of the cooling liquid in order to clean the cooling liquid.

[0008] If, for example, a flow of the coolant is made to flow through the circuit, that is to say at least through the partial region of the circuit, for example by the motor vehicle, in particular a component of the motor vehicle to be cooled by means of the coolant and the circuit, such as an internal combustion engine, being started, while the line is connected to the points and thus fluidically connected to the circuit at the points, the coolant (cooling liquid), in particular the entire coolant, flowing through the circuit is branched off at the first point from the circuit, also referred to as the cooling circuit or cooling circuit, and introduced into the line via the first connection element, whereupon the coolant introduced into the line can flow through the line and thus flow from the first connection element to the second connection element.The coolant can then flow out of the line again via the second connection element and subsequently flow back into the circuit at the second point and then, for example, flow through the circuit and then flow back to the first point of the circuit. On its way from the first connection element to the second connection element and thus through the line, the coolant flows through the filter element, by means of which any particles contained in the coolant, and thus dirt, for example, can be filtered out of the coolant while the coolant flows through the line. This allows the coolant to be cleaned effectively and efficiently. Once the coolant has been cleaned, the line is disconnected from the motor vehicle, even if, for example, the points are fluidly connected to one another again using a connecting element on the motor vehicle.The invention thus makes it possible to clean the coolant in a time- and cost-effective manner.

[0009] The cleaning device according to the invention can be used, for example, as part of a method for manufacturing a motor vehicle, i.e., during the production of the motor vehicle. During production, for example, motor vehicles are mass-produced. Motor vehicles that exhibit abnormalities during production that indicate contaminated coolant are, for example, sorted out and thus removed from production. The circuits of the vehicles are then cleaned, i.e., flushed, using the cleaning device according to the invention, after which the vehicles can, for example, be returned to production and completed. The cleaning of the coolant, i.e., the flushing of the coolant, only takes place temporarily, i.e., until excessive contamination of the respective coolant has been eliminated.The cleaning device is therefore not a permanent solution, meaning it is not an integral part of the vehicle, but rather an additional solution. Preferably, while the line is connected to the circuit point, a thermostatic valve is arranged in the circuit downstream of the second points and upstream of the first point, thereby preventing unwanted interference with the thermostatic valve by particles contained in the coolant. The cleaning device can also be used, for example, in workshops for maintenance or repair purposes.

[0010] The particles are, for example, original dirt or the particles result, for example, from so-called original dirt, which can be removed from the cooling liquid in a time- and cost-effective manner by means of the cleaning device according to the invention.

[0011] The invention is based in particular on the following findings and considerations: The aforementioned component can, for example, be an internal combustion engine, which can be designed as a reciprocating piston engine or reciprocating piston machine and thus can comprise a crankcase. During production of the crankcase, primary dirt such as sand, chips and / or other impurities can enter the circuit. Usually, at least one valve, such as the aforementioned thermostatic valve, which is also simply referred to as a thermostat, is arranged in the circuit. An excessive amount of primary dirt in the circuit can lead to jamming or blocking of such a valve, which in turn can lead to the temperature of the coolant not being able to be regulated or controlled as desired, for example during operation of the motor vehicle.

[0012] By connecting the line to the points and thus by fluidically connecting the line to the circuit, the filter element can be connected to the points as an external filter and thus fluidically connected to the circuit. One of the points is, for example, at the point on the crankcase. The other point is, for example, a point on a radiator, by means of which the coolant can be cooled. For example, the connecting elements are designed to connect the respective connecting element to the point by means of a respective plug-in connection, i.e. to connect it to the respective point by plugging it in. For this purpose, the respective connecting element is or comprises, for example, a coupling, in particular a quick and / or plug-in coupling. By connecting the line to the points, the line can, so to speak, be plugged in between the points, i.e. inserted between the points.Subsequently, for example, the internal combustion engine is operated, in particular for several minutes and in particular while the motor vehicle is stationary, in particular at or with a speed that is higher than the idling speed of the internal combustion engine. As a result, the aforementioned flow of coolant through the cooling circuit and thus through the connected line is effected, whereby the coolant is effectively and efficiently filtered. By cleaning the coolant in this way, for example, jamming or blocking of valves in the circuit resulting from excessive contamination can be avoided or eliminated, so that undesirable effects resulting from such blocking or jamming can be avoided.

[0013] To enable particularly simple, time- and cost-effective handling of the cleaning device, and thus particularly simple, time- and cost-effective connection to the circuit, one embodiment of the invention provides for the line to have at least two curved longitudinal sections, by means of which a total deflection of the cooling fluid flowing through the line of at least or exactly 180° can be effected. This allows for particularly simple connection to the circuit.

[0014] A further embodiment is characterized in that a first of the length regions is formed by a first line section of the line, and the second length region is formed by a second line section of the line, wherein the second line section is formed separately from the first line section and is connected or connectable to the first line section, in particular mechanically and fluidically. Thus, the line is designed in several parts, allowing easy handling and connection to the circuit.

[0015] To ensure particularly simple and thus time- and cost-effective handling of the cleaning device, a further embodiment of the invention provides for the filter element to be formed separately from the line sections and connected to the line sections, particularly mechanically and fluidically. For example, if the filter element has become clogged with filtered-out particles after intensive use, the filter element can be replaced, i.e., exchanged for another, new filter element that can be connected to the previously used line sections, allowing the line sections to continue to be used.

[0016] In order to be able to filter and thus clean the cooling liquid particularly advantageously, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the filter element is connected to both line parts.

[0017] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for cleaning a cooling fluid of a motor vehicle having a circuit through which the cooling fluid flows and is also simply referred to as a vehicle, using a cooling device, in particular according to the first aspect of the invention. In other words, in the second aspect of the invention, a cleaning device according to the first aspect of the invention is preferably used to filter and thereby clean the cooling fluid.

[0018] In the method, the cleaning device, which is designed separately from the motor vehicle and as an additional part not belonging to the motor vehicle, has a line through which the coolant can flow, which line has a first connection element, a second connection element and at least one filter element arranged between the connection elements. In the method, the line is connected in a non-destructively detachable manner to a first point in the circuit by means of the first connection element and is thereby fluidically connected to the circuit at the first point. In the method, the line is connected in a non-destructively detachable manner to a second point in the circuit arranged downstream of the first point, by means of the second connection element, and is thereby fluidically connected to the circuit at the second point.The method causes the cooling fluid to flow from the first location via the first connection element to the second connection element and via the second connection element to the second location, thereby flowing through the line. To clean the cooling fluid, particles contained in the cooling fluid flowing through the line are filtered out of the cooling fluid by means of the filter element. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0019] In order to fluidically connect the line to the circuit particularly easily and thus in a time- and cost-effective manner, and thus to clean the coolant particularly easily, cost-effectively, and effectively, one embodiment of the second aspect of the invention provides that, in the method, the line protrudes downwards from an underbody of the motor vehicle in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle, also referred to simply as the vehicle. This allows the line to be fluidically connected to the circuit from bottom to top in the vertical direction of the vehicle, allowing the coolant to be cleaned particularly easily.

[0020] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawing(s). The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0021] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cleaning device in a method for cleaning a cooling liquid of a motor vehicle, wherein the cooling liquid is cleaned by means of the cleaning device; and Fig. 2 a schematic plan view of the cleaning device.

[0022] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a cleaning device 10, which is used in a method for cleaning a cooling liquid of a motor vehicle, also referred to simply as a vehicle. This means that the motor vehicle, which is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car, which is shown in Fig. 1 and is designated by 12, which has the circuit, also referred to as the cooling circuit or cooling circuit, through which the coolant can flow. The motor vehicle 12 has at least one component that is to be cooled by the coolant or is cooled during operation of the motor vehicle 12. For example, the component is or includes an internal combustion engine, also referred to as an internal combustion engine or combustion motor and designed, for example, as a reciprocating piston engine, by means of which the motor vehicle 12 can be driven.

[0024] In order to be able to clean the coolant effectively and in a particularly time- and cost-effective manner, the cleaning device 10 is used, which is designed separately from the motor vehicle 12 and is designed as an additional part that does not belong to the motor vehicle and is therefore not a component of the motor vehicle 12.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the cleaning device 10. As can be seen particularly well Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the cleaning device 10 has a line 14 through which the cooling liquid can flow, which is also referred to as a line element. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the line 14 has a plurality of line parts 16a-d that are formed separately from one another and through which the cooling liquid can flow, which are formed separately from one another and are mechanically and fluidically connected to one another. The cooling liquid can thus flow through the line 14. The line 14 has a first connection element 18, which is provided in particular on the line part 16d. Furthermore, the line 14 has a second connection element 20, which is provided, for example, on the line part 16a.Furthermore, the line 14, in particular, has a filter element 22, which is arranged between the connecting elements 18 and 20 and is fluidically and mechanically connected to the line sections 16a-d, so that the cooling fluid can flow through the connecting elements 18 and 20 and the filter element 22. It can be seen that the filter element 22 is arranged between the connecting elements 18 and 20 and, in this case, between the line sections 16b and 16c.

[0026] In the method, the line 14 is connected to a first point S1 of the circuit by means of the first connection element 18 in a non-destructively detachable manner and is thereby fluidically connected to the circuit at point S1. By means of the connection element 20, the line 14 is connected to a second point S2 of the circuit and is thus fluidically connected to the circuit at point S1. After the line 14 has been connected to the points S1 and S2 by means of the connection elements 18 and 20 and is thus fluidically connected to the circuit, a flow of the coolant is effected through the circuit, for example in such a way or by activating the component that is initially deactivated. By activating the component, for example, a pump is activated which, as a result of its activation, conveys the coolant through the circuit.However, since line 14 is now connected to points S1 and S2, the entire coolant flowing through the circuit is branched off from the circuit at point S1 and introduced into line 14 via connecting element 18, so that the coolant is pumped through the circuit, i.e. through part of the circuit and through line 14, by means of the pump. The coolant branched off from the circuit at point S1 and introduced into line 14 via connecting element 18 flows through line 14 and thus through filter element 22, and from connecting element 18 to connecting element 20. Via connecting element 20, the coolant flowing through line 14 flows out of line 14 at a point S2 and back into the circuit, and can then, for example, flow again from point S2 to point S1.Since the coolant flows through line 14 and thus through filter element 22 on its way from connection element 18 to connection element 20 and thus from point S1 and point S2, the coolant flowing through line 14 is filtered by filter element 22. This particularly means that any particles contained in the coolant flowing through line 14 are filtered out of the coolant by means of filter element 22, thereby cleaning the coolant. Subsequently, for example, the component is deactivated, thereby preventing the flow of coolant through the circuit and thus through line 14. Thereafter, for example, line 14 is separated from motor vehicle 12 and thus from points S1 and S2 and from the circuit, whereupon, for example, connection points S1 and S2 are fluidically connected to one another by means of a component of the vehicle.The cleaning device 10 can then be used to clean a cooling liquid of another motor vehicle.

[0027] In Fig. 2 schematically shows a second filter element 24. If, for example, the filter element 22 was used to filter a large amount of coolant, so that the filter element 22 becomes clogged with particles, the filter element 22 can be detached from the line parts 16b and 16c, particularly in a non-destructive manner, and replaced with the filter element 24, which can then be mechanically and fluidically connected to the line parts 16b and 16c. The cleaning device 10, which then includes the filter element 24, is then available again to clean the coolants from the motor vehicles effectively, quickly, and cost-effectively.

[0028] It can be seen that the line 14 has at least two curved longitudinal sections, namely a first longitudinal section L1 and a second longitudinal section L2. The longitudinal section L1 is formed by the line part 16b, and the longitudinal section L2 is formed by the line part 16c. The filter element 22 is arranged between the longitudinal sections L1 and L2.By means of the length regions L1 and L2, a diversion of the cooling liquid flowing through the line 14 of a total of at least or exactly 180° is effected, in particular in that the length region L2 effects a first deflection of the cooling liquid by at least or exactly 90° and the length region L1 effects a second deflection of the cooling liquid by at least or exactly 90 further degrees, so that, for example, the cooling liquid flows into the length region L2 on its way through the line 14 in a first flow direction and flows out of the length region L1 in a second flow direction, wherein the second flow direction is opposite to the first flow direction and wherein the flow directions run parallel to one another, and wherein the cooling liquid is deflected from the first flow direction towards the second flow direction by at least or exactly 180°.In the present case, the line 14 has a third longitudinal region L3, which is formed by the line part 16a. By means of the longitudinal region L3, a third deflection of the cooling liquid is effected by at least or exactly 90 degrees, such that the cooling liquid flows into the longitudinal region L3 in the second flow direction and flows out of the longitudinal region L3 in a third flow direction, wherein the third flow direction runs perpendicular to the first flow direction and perpendicular to the second flow direction and points away from the first flow direction and away from the second flow direction. The flow directions run in the same plane. Furthermore, the respective flow direction runs along a respective imaginary straight line. It is conceivable that the line part 16a and / or 16b and / or 16c is flexible and thus, for example, adjustable, i.e., changeable, in its curvature without causing any damage.This allows the cleaning device 10 to be installed particularly easily and thus in a time- and cost-effective manner.

[0029] In order to be able to connect the cleaning device 10 to the circuit in a particularly simple and thus time- and cost-effective manner, the method provides that, as can be seen from Fig. 1, the cleaning device 10 protrudes downwards from an underbody U of the motor vehicle 12 during the vertical movement of the motor vehicle. Thus, the cleaning device 10 can be connected to the circuit particularly easily from bottom to top in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle 12. List of reference symbols 10 Cleaning device 12 Motor vehicle 14 Line 16a-d line section 18 first connecting element 20 second connecting element 22 Filter element 24 filter element L1 length range L2 length range L3 length range S1 first place S1 second place U Underbody QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2012 009 558 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Cleaning device (10) for cleaning a cooling liquid of a motor vehicle (12) having a circuit through which the cooling liquid can flow, with a line (14) through which the cooling liquid can flow, which line has: - a first connection element (18), by means of which the line (14) of the cleaning device (10), which is designed separately from the motor vehicle (12) and as an additional part for the motor vehicle (12), can be detachably connected in a non-destructive manner to a first point (S1) of the circuit and can thus be fluidly connected to the circuit; - a second connection element (20), by means of which the line (14) can be connected in a non-destructively detachable manner to a second point (S2) of the circuit arranged downstream of the first point (S1) and can thereby be fluidly connected to the circuit; and - at least one filter element (22) arranged between the connecting elements (18, 20), by means of which filter element, in order to clean the cooling liquid, particles contained in the cooling liquid flowing through the line (14) can be filtered out of the cooling liquid. [2] Cleaning device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the line (14) has at least two curved length regions (L1, L2) by means of which a deflection of the cooling liquid flowing through the line (14) of a total of at least or exactly 180 degrees can be effected. [3] Cleaning device (10) according to claim 2, characterized by that a first of the length regions (L1, L2) is formed by a first line part (16b) of the line (14) and the second length region (L2) is formed by a second line part (16c) of the line (14) which is formed separately from the first line part (16b) and is connected or connectable to the first line part (16b). [4] Cleaning device (10) according to claim 3, characterized by that the filter element (22) is formed separately from the line parts (16b, c) and is connected to the line parts (16b, c). [5] Cleaning device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the filter element (22) is connected to both line parts (16b, c). [6] Method for cleaning a cooling liquid of a motor vehicle (12) having a circuit through which the cooling liquid can flow, by means of a cleaning device, in which: - a cleaning device (10) which is designed separately from the motor vehicle (12) and as an additional part for the motor vehicle (12) is used, by means of which the cooling liquid is cleaned; - the cleaning device (10) has a line (14) through which the cooling liquid can flow, which line has a first connection element (18), a second connection element (20) and at least one filter element (22) arranged between the connection elements (18, 20); - the line (14) is connected to a first point (S1) of the circuit in a non-destructively detachable manner by means of the first connection element (18) and is thereby fluidically connected to the circuit; - the line (14) is connected by means of the second connection element (20) in a non-destructively detachable manner to a second point (S2) of the circuit arranged downstream of the first point (S1) and is thereby fluidically connected to the circuit; - causes the cooling liquid to flow, which thereby flows from the first location (S1) via the first connection element (18) to the second connection element (20) and via this to the second location (S2) and thereby flows through the line (14); and - for cleaning the cooling liquid, particles contained in the cooling liquid flowing through the line (14) are filtered out of the cooling liquid by means of the filter element (22). [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by that in the method the line (14) projects downwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle from an underbody (U) of the motor vehicle (12).

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