Filling and extraction arrangement for at least one coolant expansion tank and a method for operating a filling and extraction arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling and extraction arrangement (15) for at least one coolant expansion tank (2), comprising a connecting hose (16) for connection to a filling and extraction station, wherein a connection arrangement (18) for connection to the at least one coolant expansion tank (2) is provided at the opposite end of the connecting hose (16), wherein the connection arrangement (18) has at least one coolant lance (28) for a coolant main chamber (4) of the coolant expansion tank (2), wherein a closable measuring opening (24) for a dipstick (30) is provided in the region of the coolant lance (28), and wherein the connection arrangement (18) can be coupled fluid-tight to at least one main opening (12). The invention also relates to a method for operating such a filling and extraction arrangement (15).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a filling and extraction arrangement for at least one coolant expansion tank, comprising a connecting hose for connection to a filling and extraction station, wherein a connection arrangement for connection to the at least one coolant expansion tank is provided at the opposite end of the connecting hose. The invention also relates to a method for operating such a filling and extraction arrangement.

[0002] Filling and extraction systems for coolant expansion tanks in motor vehicles are well known from the prior art. In conventional combustion engines, they serve to collect the coolant that expands when heated and return it to the cooling circuit as needed. In this case, the coolant expansion tank is at least partially transparent and features a min-max scale, allowing the vehicle user, as well as a service technician, to check the coolant level when necessary or during refilling. Modern, partially electrified vehicles have additional cooling circuits besides the one for the combustion engine, most notably a cooling circuit for a high-voltage battery. This cooling circuit also requires an expansion tank, which, particularly in the case of pouch cells used in the high-voltage battery, collects the coolant displaced due to cell swelling.A common expansion tank for multiple cooling circuits is known from DE 10 2015 212 554 A1. In this context, a filling and extraction arrangement is known from US 5,524,681 A. More recent coolant expansion tank arrangements include a so-called swelling chamber for excess coolant, which is either integrated into a coolant expansion tank or provided in a separate swelling chamber. In both cases, the swelling chamber is fluidically connected to the main coolant chamber. To ensure safe and efficient temperature control of the high-voltage battery, a cooling oil is used as the coolant, which must absorb as little moisture as possible to maintain its insulating properties. To prevent moisture diffusion through the coolant expansion tank, it is made of high-quality, non-transparent plastics that do not allow for any external perception of a min-max scale.When a vehicle user refills the coolant, they can still observe the fill level through an expansion tank opening. With a conventional filling and extraction system, this is not possible for the service technician due to the fluid-tight seal of the expansion tank opening. It should also be noted that DE 4 214 835 A1 discloses a method and an extraction device that achieve a desired fill level in an expansion tank by extraction.

[0003] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a filling and suction arrangement that avoids the aforementioned disadvantage in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by the fact that the connection arrangement has at least one coolant lance for a coolant main chamber of the coolant expansion tank, wherein a closable measuring opening for a dipstick is provided in the area of ​​the coolant lance, and wherein the connection arrangement can be coupled fluid-tight to at least one main opening. This enables the service technician to monitor the fill level of the coolant expansion tank even when a filling and extraction device is connected.

[0005] In an advantageous embodiment, the connection arrangement, with a permanently attached coolant lance and a closable measuring port, can be inserted into the main opening and mounted onto a swelling port. This embodiment is particularly characterized by a small number of components.

[0006] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the connection arrangement comprises a connection adapter with a measuring port and a main port, and a swelling connector arranged on the coolant lance, such that the swelling connector can be inserted into the main port of the connection adapter and directly into the swelling port. This embodiment is particularly versatile and easy to handle.

[0007] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the main connection means has an air valve. This allows for simple pressure equalization with the environment towards the end of the filling process of the coolant main chamber. With the air valve closed, an overpressure or underpressure leak test can be easily performed. A vacuum can also be provided for filling.

[0008] The measuring opening can be easily closed with a plug.

[0009] Furthermore, the coolant lance is advantageously detachable from the connecting hose.

[0010] The task is also accomplished by a method for operating such a filling and extraction arrangement during initial filling with a coolant, wherein in a first step the connection arrangement is arranged on the coolant expansion tank, wherein the coolant lance extends into the main coolant chamber and the swelling opening is closed, wherein in the next step a vacuum is generated in a cooling oil system of the motor vehicle, whereby coolant is filled into the main coolant chamber, wherein in the next step the plug is removed from the measuring opening and the dipstick is inserted to check the fill level of the main coolant chamber, wherein in the next step after the fill level has been set the coolant lance and the dipstick are removed and the main opening and the measuring opening are closed, wherein in the next step the coolant lance is inserted into the swelling opening.to extract coolant from the swelling chamber, and in the next step the coolant lance is removed from the measuring port and the port is sealed.

[0011] The task is also accomplished by a method for operating such a filling and extraction arrangement within the framework of a maintenance check, wherein in a first step the connection arrangement is arranged on the coolant expansion tank, wherein the dipstick extends into the coolant main chamber and the coolant opening and the swelling opening are closed, wherein in the next step the fill level of the coolant main chamber is checked and, if necessary, correctly adjusted by means of the coolant lance in the coolant opening, wherein in the next step after the fill level has been adjusted the coolant lance and the dipstick are removed and the main opening and the measuring opening are closed, wherein in the next step the coolant lance is inserted into the swelling opening to extract coolant from the swelling chamber and wherein in the next step the coolant lance is removed from the measuring opening and this is closed.

[0012] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing, in which the single figure shows a schematic view of a filling and suction arrangement according to the invention.

[0013] This diagram shows a coolant expansion tank 2 of a partially electrified vehicle (not shown in detail). The coolant expansion tank 2 has a main coolant chamber 4 and a single-piece connected swelling tank 6 with a swelling chamber 8, which are fluidically connected to each other via an overflow line 9. For clarity, a min-max scale 10 is shown, but due to the opaque design of the coolant expansion tank, it does not provide a direct indication of the fill level. It can only serve as a guide for the vehicle user when refilling and simultaneously looking through a main filler opening 12.

[0014] The purpose of the swelling chamber 8 is to collect excess cooling oil, primarily displaced due to cell swelling of a high-voltage battery (not shown), and to store it until the next extraction during routine maintenance. Typically, the main opening 12 is larger than a swelling opening 14. Both openings 12 and 14 are fluid-tightly sealed by a preferably screw-on cover during vehicle operation.

[0015] A filling and extraction arrangement 15 is provided for filling and extracting a coolant, which in this case is a cooling oil. This arrangement has a connecting hose 16 for connection to a filling and extraction station, which is known per se but not shown. A connection arrangement 18 is provided at one end of the connecting hose 16, opposite the filling and extraction station. This connection arrangement 18 essentially comprises a connecting adapter 20 with a coolant opening 22 and a measuring opening 24, as well as a swelling connection piece 26 with a coolant lance 28. A dipstick 30 can be inserted into the measuring opening 24 to measure the fill level of the coolant main chamber 4. A plug 32 is provided for a fluid-tight seal of the measuring opening.The coolant lance 28 is thus inserted into the connection adapter 20 by means of the swelling connector and, together with the connection adapter 20, inserted into the main opening 12, or inserted directly into the swelling opening 14 via the swelling connector 26. In any case, the swelling connector 26 is connected to a corresponding second coupling element 36 of the connection hose 16 via a first coupling element 34.

[0016] A method for operating the filling and extraction arrangement 15 during initial filling can be described as follows: In a first step, the connection arrangement 18 is positioned on the coolant expansion tank 2, with the coolant lance 28 extending into the coolant main chamber 4 and the swelling opening 14 being closed. In the next step, a vacuum is created in the vehicle's cooling oil system, causing coolant to be filled into the coolant main chamber 4. In the next step, the plug 32 is removed from the measuring opening 24 and the dipstick 30 is inserted to check the fill level of the coolant main chamber 4. In the next step, after the fill level has been adjusted, the coolant lance 28 and the dipstick 30 are removed, and the main opening 12 and the measuring opening 24 are closed. In the next step, the coolant lance 28 is inserted into the swelling opening 14 to extract coolant from the swelling chamber 8.Finally, the coolant lance 28 is removed from the measuring opening 24 and the opening is closed.

[0017] A method for operating the filling and extraction arrangement 15 during a maintenance check can be described as follows: In a first step, the connection arrangement 18 is positioned on the coolant expansion tank 2, with the dipstick 30 extending into the coolant main chamber 4 and the coolant opening 22 and the swelling opening 14 being closed. In the next step, the fill level of the coolant main chamber 4 is checked and, if necessary, correctly adjusted using the coolant lance 28 in the coolant opening 22. In the next step, after the fill level has been adjusted, the coolant lance 28 and the dipstick 30 are removed, and the main opening 12 and the measuring opening 24 are closed. In the next step, the coolant lance 28 is then inserted into the swelling opening 14 to extract coolant from the swelling chamber 8. Finally, the coolant lance 28 is removed from the measuring opening 24, and the measuring opening 24 is then closed. Reference symbol list 2 coolant expansion tanks 4 Coolant main compartment 6 Swelling containers 8 Swelling room 9 Overflow pipe 10 Min-Max scaling 12 Main opening 14 Swelling opening 15 Filling and suction arrangement 16 Connection hose 18 Connection arrangement 20 connection adapters 22 Coolant opening 24 Measuring aperture 26 Swelling connector 28 Coolant lance 30 dipstick 32 plugs 34 coupling organ 36 coupling organ

Claims

[1] Filling and suction arrangement (15) for at least one coolant expansion tank (2), with a connecting hose (16) for connection to a filling and suction station, wherein a connection arrangement (18) for connection to the at least one coolant expansion tank (2) is provided at the opposite end of the connecting hose (16), characterized by , that the connection arrangement (18) has at least one coolant lance (28) for a coolant main chamber (4) of the coolant expansion tank (2), wherein a closable measuring opening (24) for a dipstick (30) is provided in the area of ​​the coolant lance (28) and wherein the connection arrangement (18) can be coupled fluid-tight to at least one main opening (12). [2] Filling and suction arrangement (15) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the connection arrangement (18) with a permanently connected coolant lance (28) and the closable measuring opening (24) can be inserted into the main opening (12) and is designed to be placed on a swelling opening (14). [3] Filling and suction arrangement (15) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the connection arrangement (18) has a connection adapter (20) with the measuring opening (24) and the main opening (12) and a swelling connection piece (26) arranged on the coolant lance (28), such that the swelling connection piece (26) is designed to be inserted into the main opening (12) of the connection adapter (20) and directly into the swelling opening (14). [4] Filling and suction arrangement (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the measuring opening (24) can be closed by a plug (32). [5] Filling and suction arrangement (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the coolant lance (28) is detachably arranged on the connecting hose (16). [6] Method for operating a filling and extraction arrangement (15) according to one of the preceding claims in the context of an initial filling with a coolant, characterized bythat in a first step the connection arrangement (18) is arranged on the coolant expansion tank (2), wherein the coolant lance (28) extends into the coolant main chamber (4) and the swelling opening (14) is closed, that in the next step a vacuum is created in a cooling oil system of the motor vehicle, whereby coolant is filled into the coolant main chamber (4), that in the next step the plug (32) is removed from the measuring opening (24) and the dipstick (30) is inserted to check the fill level of the coolant main chamber (4), that in the next step after the fill level has been adjusted the coolant lance (28) and the dipstick (30) are removed and the main opening (12) and the measuring opening (24) are closed, that in the next step the coolant lance (28) is inserted into the swelling opening (14),to extract coolant from the swelling chamber (8) and that in the next step the coolant lance (28) is removed from the measuring opening (24) and this is closed. [7] Method for operating a filling and suction arrangement (15) according to any one of claims 1-5 in the context of a maintenance check, characterized by, that in a first step the connection arrangement (18) is arranged on the coolant expansion tank (2), with the dipstick (30) extending into the coolant main chamber (4) and the coolant opening (22) and the swelling opening (14) being closed, that in the next step the fill level of the coolant main chamber (4) is checked and, if necessary, correctly adjusted using the coolant lance (28) in the coolant opening (22), that in the next step after the fill level has been adjusted the coolant lance (28) and the dipstick (30) are removed and the main opening (12) and the measuring opening (24) are closed, that in the next step the coolant lance (28) is inserted into the swelling opening (14) to draw coolant from the swelling chamber (8) and that in the next step the coolant lance (28) is removed from the measuring opening (24) and this is closed.

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