Heated volumetric absorber

Abstract

An aspect of the invention relates to a heating volume absorber (1) for a container (2) of a liquid (3) for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, said absorber (1) comprising: a deformable element (4) comprising: an inner deformable portion (5) forming an inner chamber (7), said inner deformable portion (5) being configured and arranged to be positioned in a liquid container (2); an outer body (6) forming an outer chamber (9) in communication with said inner chamber (7), said outer body (6) comprising at least one deformable wall (12) and being configured and arranged to obstruct an orifice (14) of said container (2) of a liquid (3); a heat transfer fluid (10) disposed in said deformable element (4), and an electric heating device (24) for heating said heat transfer fluid (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a heated volume chauffeur for containers of liquids used in vehicles (especially motor vehicles). Therefore, the technical field of this invention relates to containers for vehicle liquids. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicle fluid containers are affected by climatic conditions, where temperatures can drop below 0°C, especially in very cold regions of some countries, when vehicles are parked for extended periods. Consequently, the volume of fluid in the container will freeze rapidly, even if it contains additives that lower its freezing point. In this situation, the volume of frozen fluid within the container, which can be formed by a tank or pipe, increases, and stresses are placed on the container walls, which increase as the external temperature decreases. This can cause the walls to exceed their strength limits and rupture, rendering the tank or pipe unusable and necessitating replacement.

[0003] To overcome this drawback, for example, a vehicle windshield washer fluid reservoir is known from document FR-B1-2967630, in which one wall of the reservoir includes an elastically deformable portion to increase the reservoir's volume. Therefore, when the reservoir freezes at a prolonged negative temperature, the volume of the liquid increases, causing it to exert pressure on the reservoir wall and mechanically deform the weakest part (the elastically deformable portion). Then, when the temperature returns to positive, the ice liquefies and the washer fluid returns to its initial volume, simultaneously with the elastically deformable portion returning to its initial volume.

[0004] While this implementation is acceptable for windshield washer fluid, it is not suitable for other applications where the liquid cannot freeze during vehicle use. This is the case, for example, with urea metering modules. Specifically, urea must remain in its liquid state for at most a few seconds after the vehicle is started. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The heating volume absorber according to one aspect of the invention provides a solution to the above-mentioned problem by making it possible to limit the pressure exerted by the freezing of the liquid on the one hand, and to limit the duration of freezing after the vehicle is started on the other hand.

[0006] In this context, the invention therefore relates, in its broadest sense, to a heated volume absorber for a container of vehicle fluids. This heated volume absorber particularly includes:

[0007] - A deformable element, comprising:

[0008] - A deformable internal portion that forms an internal chamber, the deformable internal portion being constructed and arranged to be positioned within a container of liquid.

[0009] - An external body that forms an external chamber communicating with an internal chamber, the external body including at least one deformable wall and configured and arranged to block the orifice of a liquid-blocking container.

[0010] - A heat transfer fluid, which is disposed in a deformable element, and

[0011] - An electric heating device used to heat heat transfer fluids.

[0012] According to the invention, when the liquid contained in the container freezes, its volume increases and exerts pressure on the deformable internal portion, which then deforms. During this deformation, the heat transfer fluid contained in the internal chamber of the internal portion moves within the external chamber of the external body. The deformable wall of the external body then deforms outward to compensate for the deformation of the internal portion. Therefore, when the liquid in the container freezes, the increase in its volume is compensated by the deformation of the absorber according to the invention, thereby preventing overpressure in the container. Furthermore, when it is necessary for the liquid not to freeze (e.g., during vehicle startup), the frozen liquid can be rapidly melted by activating an electric heating device. Once activated, the heating device increases the temperature of the heat transfer fluid, which in turn heats the liquid in the container.

[0013] In addition to the features just mentioned in the previous paragraph, a heated volume absorber according to one aspect of the invention may have one or more of the following additional features, which are considered individually or in any technically possible combination.

[0014] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention,

[0015] - The external body includes a plug (bouchon d'obstruction) for blocking the orifice of the liquid container, the plug including an orifice for the flow of heat transfer fluid between the internal and external chambers, and

[0016] - The deformable wall is formed by a deformable membrane disposed at the distal end of the outer body, the deformable membrane including a first surface in contact with the heat transfer fluid.

[0017] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the deformable membrane is reinforced so that it deforms from a determined pressure.

[0018] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the outer body includes a spring element, and the deformable membrane includes a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface, the second surface being supported on the spring element.

[0019] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the plug includes a convex portion that receives the distal end of the internal portion, the convex portion being used for the passage of an orifice through which the heat transfer fluid passes.

[0020] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the distal end of the internal portion presses against the protrusion of the plug.

[0021] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the distal end of the inner portion is overmolded onto the protruding portion of the plug.

[0022] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the electric heating device is configured to contact a heat transfer fluid contained in an outer chamber.

[0023] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, a portion of the electric heating device is overmolded within an outer body.

[0024] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the distal end of the inner portion has an outer peripheral seal, which is configured and arranged to contact the inner wall of the container of liquid.

[0025] A better understanding of the invention and its various applications can be achieved by reading the following description and studying the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The accompanying drawings are presented by way of completely non-limiting indication of the invention.

[0027] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a heated volume absorber for a container of vehicle liquids according to a non-limiting aspect of the present invention is illustrated.

[0028] Figure 2 Another exemplary embodiment of a heated volume absorber for a container of vehicle liquids according to another non-limiting aspect of the present invention is shown.

[0029] Figure 3 Different exemplary embodiments of a heated volume absorber for a container of vehicle liquids according to a non-limiting aspect of the present invention are illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing in different figures shall have a single figure reference numeral.

[0031] Figure 1 A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a heated volume absorber 1 for a container 2 of liquid 3 for a vehicle (especially a motor vehicle) is illustrated.

[0032] In a non-limiting manner, the container 2 of the liquid may be formed by a tank or pipe, while the liquid 3 may be formed of urea in itself.

[0033] The heating volume absorber 1 includes a deformable element 4, which has an internal part 5 and an external body 6.

[0034] The internal portion 5 is deformable and forms an internal chamber 7. The deformable internal portion 5 is positioned within the liquid container 2.

[0035] The internal portion 5 includes, in particular, a deformable surface 8. The deformable surface 8 may be made of, for example, an elastomer and has a thickness of 1 mm.

[0036] The outer body 6 forms an outer chamber 9 .

[0037] The internal chamber 7 and the external chamber 9 are connected together and contain the heat transfer fluid 10.

[0038] The heat transfer fluid 10 is selected to have a freezing point lower than that of the liquid 3 in the container 2.

[0039] The outer body 6 includes a deformable wall 12 at its distal end 11, which in this exemplary embodiment is composed of a deformable membrane. The deformable membrane 12 includes a first surface 13 that contacts the heat transfer fluid 10.

[0040] The farthest end refers to the end furthest from the interior of container 2 containing the liquid.

[0041] The external body 6 blocks the orifice 14 of the liquid container 2.

[0042] In this non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the outer body 6 includes a plug 15 for blocking the orifice 14 of the liquid container 2. To ensure a perfect seal between the liquid container 2 and the outside, the plug 15 can be welded to the liquid container 2, for example, by a laser welding process.

[0043] The plug 15 includes an orifice 16 for the flow of heat transfer fluid between the inner chamber 7 and the outer chamber 9.

[0044] The plug 15 also includes a protrusion 17 that receives the distal end 18 of the inner portion 5. It should be noted that the protrusion 17 is used for the passage of the orifice 16 through which the heat transfer fluid 10 flows.

[0045] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the distal end 18 of the inner portion 5 presses against the protrusion 17 of the plug 15.

[0046] In various non-limiting embodiments, the distal end 18 of the inner portion 5 is overmolded onto the protruding portion 17 of the plug 15.

[0047] The peripheral surface 19 of the deformable membrane 12 is positioned in a first groove 20, which is formed in the inner surface 21 of the outer body 6. More specifically, the first groove 20 is formed by the joint of a plug 15 and a coaxial cap 22 of the outer body 6. The plug 15 and the cap 22 are welded together, for example, by a laser welding process.

[0048] Therefore, during operation, when the liquid 3 freezes, its volume increases and exerts pressure on the deformable surface 8 of the deformable internal portion 5. The deformable internal portion 5 deforms, and the heat transfer fluid 10 contained in the internal chamber 7 flows through the flow orifice 16 to reach the external chamber 9 of the external body 6.

[0049] Therefore, the deformable membrane 12 of the outer body 6 deforms to increase the volume of the outer chamber 9. Thus, the absorber 1 allows for the restriction of pressure applied to the inner wall 23 of the liquid container 2 during the long freezing phase.

[0050] The heating volume absorber 1 also includes an electric heating device 24 for heating the heat transfer fluid 10.

[0051] In this exemplary embodiment, the electric heating device 24 is configured to contact the heat transfer fluid 10 contained in the outer chamber 9.

[0052] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electric heating device 24 may be formed from a washer that forms a resistor. The washer may be overmolded in a plug 15.

[0053] According to another non-limiting embodiment, the electric heating device 24 may be formed from two resistive metal rods overlaid in the blocking plug 15.

[0054] Therefore, during vehicle startup, if the external temperature is negative, the engine management computer can activate the electric heating device 24. The frozen liquid 3 in container 2 is then locally heated by the heat transfer liquid 10 of the heated volume absorber 1.

[0055] In one non-limiting embodiment, the heating volume absorber 1 is positioned at the final freezing point of the pipe so that freezing at that final freezing point can be prevented by activating the electric heater 24.

[0056] In one non-limiting embodiment, the deformable membrane 12 is reinforced so that deformation only begins from a determined pressure. This reinforced deformable membrane 12 allows the force required for deformation of the heated volume absorber 1 to be set.

[0057] Specifically, during normal operation, the hydraulic pressure in the liquid container 2 may vary, for example, between 7 bar and 10 bar. To prevent the heated volume absorber 1 from deforming within this range, the deformable membrane 12 can be reinforced with fibers. For example, deformation of this reinforced deformable membrane 12 may only be permitted starting at 15 bar. Therefore, deformation of the internal portion 5 and the external body 6 of the heated volume absorber 1 only occurs when the pressure applied by the liquid 3 exceeds 15 bar.

[0058] Figure 2 Another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a heated volume absorber 1 for a container 2 of liquid 3 for a vehicle is shown.

[0059] In this exemplary embodiment, the external body 6 includes a spring element 25.

[0060] The deformable membrane 12 includes a second surface 26 disposed opposite to the first surface 13. The second surface 26 is supported on the spring element 25.

[0061] Spring element 25 may be formed in a non-limiting manner from a leaf spring or an elastic washer (also known as a Belleville washer).

[0062] like Figure 2 As illustrated, in the case of the elastic washer 25, the peripheral surface 27 of the elastic washer 25 is positioned in the second groove 28, which is formed in the inner surface 21 of the outer body 6. More specifically, the second groove 28 is formed in the cap 22.

[0063] Figure 3 Another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a heated volume absorber 1 for a container 2 of liquid 3 for a vehicle is shown.

[0064] In this embodiment, the distal end 18 of the inner portion 5 includes an external peripheral seal 29, which is configured and arranged to contact the inner wall 23 of the container 2 of the liquid 3. This particular embodiment can be implemented when a reliable seal is sought between the orifice 14 of the container 2 of the liquid and the outside.

[0065] In Figure 3 The diagram shows wires 30. They are connected to a control device 31, which enables power to be supplied to the electric heating device 24 when the external temperature is negative.

[0066] The above-described aspects of the present invention have many advantages. Among them, the following can be mentioned:

[0067] -Pressure applied to the inner wall of a liquid container in a motor vehicle is limited by the deformation of its internal parts and external body.

[0068] - Localized melting of liquid in critical areas of a liquid container.

Claims

1. A heated volume absorber (1) for a container (2) of a liquid (3) for a vehicle, the absorber (1) being characterized in that the absorber comprises: - Deformable element (4), the deformable element comprising: A deformable internal portion (5) forms an internal chamber (7), the deformable internal portion (5) being constructed and arranged to be positioned within a container (2) of the liquid (3). An outer body (6) forms an outer chamber (9) communicating with the inner chamber (7). The outer body (6) includes at least one deformable wall (12) and is constructed and arranged to block the orifice (14) of the container (2) of the liquid (3). - A heat transfer fluid (10), which is disposed in the deformable element (4), and - An electric heating device (24) for heating the heat transfer fluid (10).

2. The absorber (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: - The outer body (6) includes a plug (15) for blocking the orifice (14) of the container (2) for blocking the liquid (3), the plug (15) including an orifice (16) for the flow of heat transfer fluid (10) between the inner chamber (7) and the outer chamber (9), and wherein - The deformable wall (12) is formed by a deformable membrane disposed at the distal end (11) of the outer body (6), the deformable membrane including a first surface (13) in contact with the heat transfer fluid (10).

3. The absorber (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The deformable membrane (12) is reinforced so that it can deform from the determined pressure.

4. The absorber (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer body (6) includes a spring element (25), and the deformable membrane (12) includes a second surface (26) disposed opposite to the first surface (13), the second surface (26) being supported on the spring element (25).

5. The absorber (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The plug (15) includes a protrusion (17) that receives the distal end (18) of the inner portion (5), the protrusion (17) being used for the passage of the orifice (16) through which the heat transfer fluid (10) passes.

6. The absorber (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The distal end (18) of the internal portion (5) presses against the protrusion (17) of the plug (15).

7. The absorber (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The distal end (18) of the inner portion (5) is overmolded onto the protruding portion (17) of the plug (15).

8. The absorber (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The electric heating device (24) is configured to contact the heat transfer fluid (10) contained in the outer chamber (9).

9. The absorber (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, A portion of the electric heating device (24) is encased in the outer body (6).

10. The absorber (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The distal end (18) of the inner portion (5) has an external peripheral seal (29) which is constructed and arranged to contact the inner wall (23) of the container (2) of the liquid (3).

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