Filling device for a vehicle and vehicle having such a filling device

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling device (1) for a vehicle, comprising a vehicle body flap (2) which at least partially forms an outer skin of the vehicle and which is arranged to be pivoted between a first position and a second position which is different from the first position, the vehicle body flap having an opening (7), a container (9) for holding a fluid, and a filling connection (3) which is arranged on the vehicle body flap such that the container can be filled with fluid in a flow direction via the opening and the filling connection, the filling connection forming a channel which connects the opening in the vehicle body flap with the container, the channel having a filling section in the region of the opening, in which filling section a splash guard (80) is formed which reduces the flow cross section with respect to the opening arranged upstream of the splash guard and with respect to a channel section of the channel which is downstream of the splash guard, and an air outlet duct (70) which is formed adjacent to the filling opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling device for vehicles, particularly motor vehicles, and a vehicle having such a filling device. Background Technology

[0002] In conventional vehicles, such as motor vehicles, filling devices are known, for example, in relation to the filling of washing water containers in conventional glass washing equipment.

[0003] Typically, in traditional glass washing equipment, the filling pipe for the wash water container is located under the vehicle body flap, such as the front flap of a vehicle, or under the engine hood in the engine compartment.

[0004] Alternative implementations specify that the filling pipe is located, for example, in the drain groove of the vehicle's tailgate. Other implementations specify that the wash water container is filled via, for example, the main gap between the hood and the fender.

[0005] If the vehicle has a front flap, which should be operated only at the factory using specialized tools and widely referred to as a "maintenance flap," then the filler pipe for the wash water container should not be easily accessible. Generally, visible single flaps or covers are avoided in body components—which are subject to specific aesthetic requirements—for both aesthetic and manufacturing reasons, whenever possible.

[0006] exist Figure 1 The figure shows another embodiment known from the prior art, and the figure is a schematic diagram of the filling device 1' belonging to the prior art in cross-sectional view.

[0007] In principle, Figure 1 Vehicles, particularly motor vehicles, not described in more detail herein, include the filling device 1', which has a body flap 2' that at least partially constitutes the exterior of the vehicle and is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position different from the first position. The body flap 2' has an opening 7', as shown in... Figure 1 As described in the text. In the described case, the body flap 2' is an external part of the vehicle body, especially a front flap or engine hood.

[0008] Here, the second position corresponds to the conventional open position of the front hood or engine hood, making the engine compartment accessible, while the first position is the conventional closed position of the front hood or engine hood.

[0009] Additionally, the filling device 1' includes means for opening and closing the opening 7' by means of a pivotable cover element 4' disposed on the opening 7', and includes a filling tube 3' disposed relative to the opening 7' such that when the vehicle body flap 2' is in a first position, i.e. when the vehicle body flap 2' is in the closed position, the filling tube 3' can be filled with a fluid such as glass wash fluid through the opening 7'.

[0010] The device for opening and closing includes a support device 5' that pivotally supports the cover element 4' on the filling tube 3'. Accordingly, the cover element 4' can be moved to open the opening 7' and close the opening 7', wherein the cover element 4' is sealed against the vehicle body flap 2' in the closed position.

[0011] The filling connector 3' is connected to the windshield washer fluid container 9', allowing the container 9' to be filled via the filling connector. Here, the filling connector 3' and the windshield washer fluid container 9' are configured as separate components. Specifically, the filling connector 3' is connected to the vehicle body flap 2', such that the filling connector 3' and the flap element 4' move together with the vehicle body flap 2' when the flap 2' pivots from a first position to a second position, while the windshield washer fluid container 9' remains fixed in position relative to the vehicle's upper structure.

[0012] If the vehicle body flap 2' returns from the second position to the first position, then the lower end section or edge section 10' of the filling nozzle 3' and the opening section 12' of the container 9' for windshield washer fluid are sealed to each other or in contact in such a way that the lower end section is provided with a tapered sealing ring, which is inserted into the opening section 12' and sealed via a friction-locking connection and / or a form-locking connection, as in Figure 1 As described in [the text].

[0013] For example, markings not described in more detail can be provided on the outside of the cover element 4', so that the cover element 4' is hidden or inconspicuous in terms of visual appearance or technical aspects.

[0014] However, during vehicle operation, in the case of the prior art filling device 1', when the vehicle is fully braked from a high speed, the washing water sloshes out or flows out from the filling pipe 3' located below the cover element 4'; this is also the case when the cover element 4' is in the closed position against the body flap 2' or opening 7' to achieve a certain sealing effect.

[0015] Figure 2a Schematic display with Figure 1A similar filling device 1' is schematically described, wherein, with a certain fluid level or water level 14' in the container 9', water waves 16' are discharged when the vehicle is fully braked and the cover element 4' is in the open position.

[0016] Figure 2b show Figure 2a Another perspective view of the filling device, in which the filling opening 18' of the filling nozzle 3' is better visible. Due to the high water level 14' in the container 9', the water level in the connecting nozzle / filling nozzle 3' is also correspondingly high, so that it has been determined in tests that water waves can be discharged from the opening 7' even when the cover element 4' is closed.

[0017] Easy measures to prevent wash water from splashing out might include: using different types of alternative sealing caps; specifying check valves, such as diaphragm check valves; constructing labyrinth-type sections of the filling pipe; specifying sealing lips; and so on.

[0018] However, if such measures are taken, a blockage effect may occur during filling, which can be avoided, for example, by using a separate exhaust hose, as is often done in tank systems.

[0019] The above effect is achieved by using a check valve as an example. Figure 3 To describe in more detail.

[0020] As in Figure 3 As shown, if check valve 50' is used to prevent water from sloshing out, then filling is prevented due to the lack of ventilation possibility, because check valve 50' does not open against the existing air cushion L.

[0021] However, if the check valve 50' is not pre-tightened, it will not suppress water flow. If instead the filling opening 18' of the filling connector 3' is substantially reduced, the air cushion L in the storage container can escape in a similarly small amount, making filling equally difficult due to capillary action. Due to the check valve 50', water blockage 60' may also occur above the check valve 50', causing the final wash water to slosh out from the filling connector 3' through the opening 7' during full braking. Summary of the Invention

[0022] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a filling device and a motor vehicle having such a filling device, which can overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art.

[0023] In particular, the present invention aims to provide a filling device and a motor vehicle having such a filling device, which can avoid or at least reduce the leakage of fluid, preferably without making the filling of the container difficult.

[0024] The objective is achieved by a filling device according to the invention and by a vehicle according to the invention.

[0025] The filling device according to the invention is provided for use in vehicles, particularly motor vehicles, and the filling device includes: A body flap that at least partially constitutes the exterior of a vehicle and is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position different from the first position, the body flap having an opening; Containers for storing fluids; and A filling nozzle is disposed on the vehicle body flap, allowing the container to be filled with fluid in the flow direction via the opening and the filling nozzle; The filling nozzle forms a channel that connects to the container at an opening in the vehicle body flap. The channel has a filling section in the area of ​​the opening, in which a splash guard is formed. The splash guard reduces the flow cross-section relative to the opening located upstream of the splash guard and the channel section located downstream of the splash guard. The reduced flow cross-section is determined by the filling opening formed by the splash guard. An exhaust duct is formed adjacent to the filling opening. One end section of the exhaust duct extends upstream of the splash guard in the direction of the opening, and / or the other end section of the exhaust duct extends downstream of the splash guard.

[0026] Correspondingly, the filling pipe can be configured with a splash guard in the area of ​​the opening when the filling section is a filling tank, wherein the exhaust of the channel can be achieved without a valve.

[0027] A splash guard preferably oriented horizontally in the vehicle coordinate system reduces the flow cross-section to approximately 2 / 3 of the initial flow cross-section of the filling opening without the splash guard, preventing water in the storage system from draining.

[0028] However, filling through the reserved filling opening is possible because an exhaust duct is preferably added, ending above the contemplated water surface. Here, the filling nozzle is preferably manufactured as a separate component via injection molding, i.e., by means of injection molding. Additional sliding elements can be avoided by positioning it in the mold separation plane. That is, the upper side of the filling nozzle can be formed by one half of the injection mold, while the lower side can be formed by the other half, or in this case, by an existing sliding element. Here, the cavity has no side recesses that would prevent the finished component from being removed from the mold. If side recesses exist, additional sliding elements need to be integrated into the mold, or, if possible, additional components need to be installed.

[0029] Furthermore, the filling device according to the invention can be further configured such that the filling nozzle and the container are configured such that a splash guard and an exhaust pipe are positioned in the filling nozzle above the fluid filling level, which is caused by a predetermined maximum fluid filling level in the container.

[0030] Furthermore, the filling device according to the invention can be implemented such that the filling nozzle and the container are configured such that a splash guard is disposed in the filling nozzle above the fluid filling level, which is caused by a predetermined maximum fluid filling level of the container.

[0031] Furthermore, the filling device according to the invention can be implemented such that the splash guard reduces the flow cross-section by 1 / 2 to 3 / 4, preferably by at least 2 / 3 to 3 / 4, or for example, by 72%, relative to the flow cross-section of the channel section downstream of the splash guard. Since the exhaust duct is also located next to the splash guard, it is preferable that the flow cross-section is retained at 17% relative to the initial flow cross-section without the splash guard and without the exhaust duct.

[0032] In addition, the filling device according to the invention can be implemented such that the filling tube is configured as a separate component and is shaped such that the filling tube can be inserted into the container tube of the container downstream of the splash guard at its lower end section.

[0033] Furthermore, the filling device according to the invention can be further configured such that the filling nozzle is manufactured as a separate component by injection molding.

[0034] The vehicle according to the invention, particularly a motor vehicle, includes a filling device according to the invention.

[0035] Therefore, the features and advantages of the filling device according to the invention are produced in the same or similar manner, so to avoid repetition, see the above description of the filling device according to the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] The attached image is as follows: Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a filling device known from the prior art.

[0038] Figure 2a Schematic display with Figure 1 Similar filling devices.

[0039] Figure 2b show Figure 2a Another perspective view of the filling device.

[0040] Figure 3This shows the blocking effect that occurs during filling, using a check valve as an example.

[0041] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the filling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 5 Displayed in perspective view from above Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the filling device according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0043] Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of the filling device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the same or similar elements of the filling device 1 according to the present invention are compared with those belonging to the prior art and Figures 1-3 The elements of the filling device 1' described herein are provided with the same or similar reference numerals. Here, the differences from the filling device 1', which belongs to the prior art, will be explained in more detail in the following description.

[0044] As in Figure 4 and 5 As described in the figure, the filling device 1 according to the invention is used for a vehicle not described in more detail, which in this embodiment is a motor vehicle.

[0045] The filling device 1 includes a body flap 2, which is formed as an external part of the vehicle body by means of the vehicle's front flap or engine hood, and thus partially forms the exterior of the vehicle.

[0046] Here, the body cover 2 is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position different from the first position. The body cover 2, which is configured as a front cover or engine hood, is in a closed state in the first position, that is, the engine compartment of the vehicle is closed, while the body cover 2 is in an open state in the second position, that is, the engine compartment of the vehicle is released, or in other words, the engine compartment can be accessed from the outside.

[0047] In addition, the vehicle body flap 2 has an opening 7, which can be closed or opened via a cover 4, and a mark can be placed on the cover.

[0048] In addition, the filling device 1 has a container 9 for storing fluid, in this case for storing windshield washer fluid or washing water, the container being fixedly fixed to the upper structure of the vehicle, and the filling device also has a filling tube 3, which is mounted on the body flap 2 such that the filling tube 3 can pivot together with the body flap 2 relative to the container 9 between a first position and a second position, and the filling tube is connected to the opening 7.

[0049] Here, the end section 10 of the filling pipe 3 is formed in the form of a centering cone, as in... Figure 4 As can be seen, when the vehicle body flap 2 is in the first position, it partially extends into the open section 12 of the container 9, allowing the container 9 to be filled with fluid via the opening 7 and the filling nozzle 3, as this is seen in Figure 4 As described in [the text].

[0050] As in Figure 4 As can be seen, the open section 12 is constructed in the form of a funnel to receive the centering cone. Here, the funnel 16 is connected to the container 9 via a folding canopy 14.

[0051] As already mentioned, the filling nozzle 3 is disposed on the vehicle body flap, allowing the container 9 to be filled with fluid in the flow direction via the opening 7 and the filling nozzle 3. Thus, the filling nozzle forms a channel connecting the opening 7 in the vehicle body flap 2 to the container 9, wherein the channel has a filling section in the region of the opening 7 in the form of a filling can, in which a splash guard 80 is formed.

[0052] Here, the splash guard 80 reduces the flow cross-section relative to the opening 7 located upstream of the splash guard 80 and the remaining channel section located downstream of the splash guard 80.

[0053] As in Figure 4 and 5 As can be seen, the reduced flow cross section is defined by the filling opening 18 formed by the splash baffle 80, and an exhaust duct 70 is formed adjacent to the filling opening 18. The upper end section of the exhaust duct extends from the splash baffle 80 in a direction upstream of the opening 7, and the other lower end section of the exhaust duct extends downstream relative to the splash baffle 80.

[0054] As in particular Figure 4 As described, the filling nozzle 3 and container 9 are configured such that the splash guard 80 and the exhaust pipe 70 are positioned above the fluid filling level in the filling nozzle 3, which is caused by the predetermined maximum fluid filling level 14 of the container 9.

[0055] Here, the splash guard 80 reduces the flow cross-section in this embodiment by at least 2 / 3 to 3 / 4, preferably by 72%, relative to the flow cross-section of the channel section downstream of the splash guard 80.

[0056] Since the exhaust duct 70 is also located next to the splash guard 80, it is preferable that the flow cross-section is retained by 17% relative to the initial flow cross-section without the splash guard 80 and without the exhaust duct 70.

[0057] In particular, the flow cross-section can be reduced to such an extent that waves can be blocked, but at the same time, it is possible to fill the flow through the filling opening 18 within a suitable time, for example, a filling rate of 3 to 5 liters per minute is possible. Therefore, the size of the splash guard is obtained by means of these considerations and is preferably greater than half of the flow channel cross-section, which in this embodiment is therefore 2 / 3 of the flow channel cross-section.

[0058] In this embodiment, the filling nozzle 3 is preferably configured as a separate component and shaped such that the lower end section of the filling nozzle can be inserted into the container nozzle of the container 9 downstream of the splash guard 80. Preferably, the filling nozzle 3 is manufactured as a separate component by injection molding.

[0059] In this embodiment, a mark, not described in more detail, is provided on the outside of a cover element 4 for opening and closing the opening 7, which is provided on the opening 7 such that the cover element 4 is visually or technically concealed or inconspicuous.

[0060] The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims are substantial for achieving the invention, not only individually but also in any combination.

Claims

1. A filling device (1) for a vehicle, the filling device comprising: A body flap (2) at least partially constitutes the exterior of the vehicle and is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position different from the first position, the body flap (2) having an opening (7). Containers for storing fluids (9); as well as A filling nozzle (3) is provided on the vehicle body flap (2) so that the container (9) can be filled with fluid in the flow direction through the opening (7) and the filling nozzle (3); The filling nozzle (3) forms a channel that connects the opening (7) in the body flap (2) to the container (9). The channel has a filling section in the area of ​​the opening (7) in which a splash guard (80) is formed. The splash guard reduces the flow cross-section relative to the opening (7) located upstream of the splash guard (80) and the channel section located downstream of the splash guard (80) relative to the channel. The reduced flow cross-section is determined by the filling opening (18) formed by the splash guard (80). An exhaust duct (70) is formed adjacent to the filling opening (18). One end section of the exhaust duct extends upstream of the splash guard (80) in the direction of the opening (7), and / or the other end section of the exhaust duct extends downstream of the splash guard (80).

2. The filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The vehicle in question is a motor vehicle.

3. The filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The filling nozzle (3) and the container (9) are configured such that the splash guard (80) and the exhaust pipe (70) are positioned above the fluid filling level in the filling nozzle (3), which is caused by a predetermined maximum fluid filling level (14) of the container (9).

4. The filling device (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The filling nozzle (3) and the container (9) are configured such that the splash guard (80) and the exhaust pipe (70) are positioned above the fluid filling level in the filling nozzle (3), which is caused by a predetermined maximum fluid filling level (14) of the container (9).

5. The filling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The splash guard (80) reduces the flow cross-section by 1 / 2 to 3 / 4 relative to the flow cross-section of the channel section downstream of the splash guard (80).

6. The filling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The splash guard (80) reduces the flow cross-section by 2 / 3 to 3 / 4 relative to the flow cross-section of the channel section downstream of the splash guard (80).

7. The filling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The filling nozzle (3) is configured as a separate component and is shaped such that the filling nozzle can be inserted into the container nozzle of the container (9) downstream of the splash guard (80) at its lower end section.

8. The filling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The filling nozzle (3) is manufactured as a separate component by injection molding.

9. A vehicle comprising a filling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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