Drainage device and fuel system

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of drainage device and fuel system, and drainage device includes water collecting cup, float structure and adsorption structure;Water collecting cup has water inlet and drain outlet;Float structure includes float and plugging part, float is located in water collecting cup, and can float with the liquid level in water collecting cup, plugging part is located in float, and when float sinks in the bottom of water collecting cup, drain outlet is blocked, and when float floats, drain outlet is opened;Adsorption structure is installed in water collecting cup, and when float floats, it can adsorb float, and upward adsorption force is applied to float, and adsorption force is less than the sum of the gravity of float and plugging part.The scheme uses the form of buoyancy, gravity and adsorption force to control the start of drainage and the end of drainage time, and the structure is simple and reliable, and the cost is low;At the same time, the way of increasing adsorption force when drainage starts can avoid the termination of drainage caused by the descent of float, and ensure stable drainage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle fuel system drainage technology, specifically to a drainage device and a fuel system. Background Technology

[0002] Diesel fuel inevitably contains a small amount of water. Furthermore, the vent valves in commercial vehicle fuel tanks are required to remain open, allowing water vapor from the air to mix with the diesel fuel, leading to excessive water content. With increasingly stringent emission standards, the water content requirements for fuel are becoming more stringent. Currently, the mainstream drainage device is a fuel-water separator, which integrates a detachable threaded structure at the bottom of the assembly. When the driver observes or senses the need to remove water from the fuel, they loosen the bottom drain plug to drain the water from the collection cup. Once a small amount of fuel is observed flowing out, drainage stops, and the plug is tightened. Alternatively, there are electrically controlled automatic drainage devices, which require a water level sensor, controller, solenoid valve, and control circuitry.

[0003] For example, CN206830350U discloses a diesel oil-water separator, in which the oil-water separator is installed in the fuel system and a water storage chamber is set at the bottom of the oil-water separator. At the same time, a detection device is set in the water storage chamber. A drain valve and a drain pump are connected to the bottom of the water storage chamber. When the detection device detects too much water, it transmits the detection signal to the detection control module, and the detection control module controls the drain valve and the drain pump to achieve automatic discharge of water.

[0004] However, existing technologies for automatic drainage require the installation of water level sensors, controllers, solenoid valves, and control circuits, resulting in complex structures and relatively high costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and propose a drainage device that solves the technical problem that existing automatic drainage systems require water level sensors, controllers, solenoid valves, and control circuits, resulting in complex structures and relatively high costs.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a drainage device, comprising:

[0008] A water collection cup with an inlet and an outlet;

[0009] A float structure includes a float and a sealing part. The float is disposed inside the water collection cup and can float with the liquid level in the water collection cup. The sealing part is disposed on the float and seals the drain outlet when the float sinks to the bottom of the water collection cup, and opens the drain outlet when the float rises.

[0010] An adsorption structure is installed in the water collection cup and can adsorb the float when the float floats up, and apply an upward adsorption force to the float. The adsorption force is less than the sum of the weights of the float and the sealing part.

[0011] In some embodiments, the drain outlet is located at the bottom of the water collection cup, and the sealing part includes a sealing ring, which is disposed at the bottom of the float and surrounds the outer periphery of the drain outlet when the float sinks to the bottom of the water collection cup.

[0012] In some embodiments, the sealing part further includes a guide shaft, one end of which is connected to the bottom of the float and located in the middle of the sealing ring, and the other end extends into the drain outlet.

[0013] In some embodiments, the sealing portion further includes a plurality of support arms, which are connected to the guide shaft and spaced apart circumferentially and axially along the guide shaft. The ends of the support arms located within the drain outlet press against the sidewall of the drain outlet.

[0014] In some embodiments, the float structure further includes a mating magnet disposed at the upper end of the float, and the adsorption structure includes an adsorption magnet disposed inside the water collection cup and above the float, and is able to magnetically attract the mating magnet when the float floats up, so as to apply the adsorption force to the float.

[0015] Wherein, the adsorption force is less than the sum of the weights of the float, the sealing part, and the cooperating magnet.

[0016] In some embodiments, the water collection cup further has an air inlet located above the water level when the float is floating.

[0017] The float structure also includes a connecting arm and a baffle plate. One end of the connecting arm is connected to the float. The baffle plate is connected to the connecting arm and attached to the side wall of the water collection cup where the air inlet is located. It also has a connecting port. The connecting port is offset from the air inlet when the float sinks to the bottom of the water collection cup and connects to the air inlet when the float rises.

[0018] Wherein, the adsorption force is less than the sum of the weights of the float, the sealing part, the connecting arm, and the shielding plate.

[0019] In some embodiments, the drainage device further includes a baffle plate installed on the side wall of the water collection cup and forming a cavity with the portion of the water collection cup where the air inlet is located, and having a guide port communicating with the cavity, the guide port being located between the water level when the float is floating and the air inlet.

[0020] In some embodiments, the air inlets are provided in multiple ways, and the multiple air inlets are evenly spaced along the circumference of the water collection cup;

[0021] The connecting arms and the baffles are provided in multiple sets. The multiple sets of connecting arms are evenly spaced along the circumference of the float. The multiple baffles are respectively installed on the multiple connecting arms and correspond to the multiple air inlets.

[0022] In some embodiments, the water inlet is located at the top of the water collection cup.

[0023] Secondly, this solution also provides a fuel system that includes a drainage device as described in any of the above.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the drainage device provided by the present invention collects the water separated by the oil-water separator through the water collection cup. When there is no water or very little water in the water collection cup, the weight of the float is greater than the buoyancy of the accumulated water on the float. At this time, the float sinks to the bottom of the water collection cup, so that the sealing part blocks the drain outlet of the water collection cup.

[0025] When the water level in the collection cup rises and reaches the preset level, the drainage volume of the float increases. At this point, the buoyancy force on the float is greater than its weight, causing the float to rise and the sealing part to open the drain outlet. Furthermore, the adsorption structure adsorbs the float, applying an upward adsorption force. Thus, when the collection cup is draining water, the float will not sink and seal the drain outlet as soon as the buoyancy decreases to less than its weight. Instead, with the assistance of the adsorption force, when the water level in the collection cup drops to a certain level, causing the sum of the buoyancy force and the adsorption force on the float to be less than its weight, the float will sink to the bottom of the collection tank and seal the drain outlet again.

[0026] Therefore, this solution utilizes the combination of buoys, sealing parts, and adsorption structures to control the start and end times of drainage using buoyancy, gravity, and adsorption force. The structure is simple, reliable, and low-cost. At the same time, increasing the adsorption force at the start of drainage can prevent the buoys from descending and causing the drainage to stop, thus ensuring stable drainage. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the drainage device provided in an embodiment of the present invention when the drain outlet is opened;

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a drainage device blocking a drain outlet;

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram of the central sealing section and the water collection cup;

[0030] Figure 4 yes Figure 1A partial schematic diagram of the connecting arm, baffle plate, and water collection cup.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0032] 1. Water collection cup; 1a. Water inlet; 1b. Drain outlet; 1c. Air inlet; 2. Float; 3. Sealing part; 31. Sealing ring; 32. Guide shaft; 4. Adsorption structure; 41. Adsorption magnet; 5. Matching magnet; 6. Connecting arm; 7. Baffle plate; 7a. Connecting port; 8. Partition plate; 8a. Cavity; 8b. Flow guide port; 9. Preset water level. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0034] To address the technical problems of existing automatic drainage systems requiring water level sensors, controllers, solenoid valves, and control circuits, which result in complex structures and relatively high costs, this invention provides a drainage device that can control the start and end times of drainage using buoyancy, gravity, and adsorption. This device is simple, reliable, and low-cost. Furthermore, the addition of adsorption at the start of drainage prevents the float from descending and causing drainage to stop, ensuring stable drainage.

[0035] It should be noted that the drainage device described in this invention is used in, but not limited to, fuel systems, etc. For ease of explanation, this invention will only use the application of the drainage device in a fuel system as an example. The principle of the drainage device applied to other types of equipment is essentially the same as that applied to a fuel system, and will not be described in detail here.

[0036] Please see Figures 1 to 3 , Figures 1 to 3 This is a schematic diagram of a drainage device in one embodiment of the present invention. The drainage device includes a water collecting cup 1, a float structure, and an adsorption structure 4. The water collecting cup 1 has an inlet 1a and an outlet 1b. The float structure includes a float 2 and a sealing part 3. The float 2 is disposed inside the water collecting cup 1 and can float with the liquid level inside the water collecting cup 1. The sealing part 3 is disposed on the float 2 and seals the outlet 1b when the float 2 sinks to the bottom of the water collecting cup 1, and opens the outlet 1b when the float 2 rises. The adsorption structure 4 is installed in the water collecting cup 1 and can adsorb the float 2 when the float 2 rises, and applies an upward adsorption force to the float 2. The adsorption force is less than the sum of the weights of the float 2 and the sealing part 3. Specifically, the float 2 sinks to the bottom of the water collecting cup 1 when the water level in the water collecting cup 1 is lower than a preset water level 9, and rises when the water level in the water collecting cup 1 reaches the preset water level 9.

[0037] In the drainage device provided by the present invention, the water separated by the oil-water separator is collected by the water collection cup 1. When there is no water or very little water in the water collection cup 1, the weight of the float 2 is greater than the buoyancy of the accumulated water on the float 2. At this time, the float 2 sinks to the bottom of the water collection cup 1, so that the sealing part 3 seals the drain outlet 1b of the water collection cup 1.

[0038] When the water level in the collection cup 1 rises and reaches the preset water level 9, the drainage volume of the float 2 increases. At this time, the buoyancy of the float 2 is greater than its weight, causing the float 2 to rise and the sealing part 3 to open the drain outlet 1b. Furthermore, the adsorption structure adsorbs the float 2, applying an upward adsorption force. Thus, when the collection cup 1 is draining water, the float 2 will not sink and seal the drain outlet 1b immediately after the buoyancy decreases to less than its weight. Instead, with the assistance of the adsorption force, when the water level in the collection cup 1 drops to a certain level, such that the sum of the buoyancy and adsorption force on the float 2 is less than its weight, the float 2 will sink to the bottom of the collection tank and seal the drain outlet 1b again.

[0039] Therefore, this solution utilizes the combination of float 2, sealing part 3 and adsorption structure 4 to control the start and end times of drainage using buoyancy, gravity and adsorption force. The structure is simple, reliable and low in cost. At the same time, the method of increasing adsorption force at the start of drainage can prevent the float 2 from descending and causing the drainage to stop, thus ensuring stable drainage.

[0040] It should be understood that the density of the float 2 is less than that of water, and the preset water level 9 is calibrated according to the actual parameters. As long as the preset water level 9 is reached, the float 2 will rise, thereby driving the sealing part 3 to open the drain outlet 1b.

[0041] It should be noted that the sealing part 3 can be a sealing plug installed on the float 2 or a sealing seat installed on the float 2, as long as it can seal and detach from the drain outlet 1b.

[0042] In one embodiment, the drain outlet 1b is located at the bottom of the water collection cup 1, and the sealing part 3 includes a sealing ring 31, which is disposed at the bottom of the float 2 and surrounds the outer periphery of the drain outlet 1b when the float 2 sinks to the bottom of the water collection cup 1.

[0043] In this embodiment, the drain outlet 1b is placed at the bottom of the water collection cup 1, and the sealing ring 31 is placed at the bottom of the float 2, corresponding to the drain outlet 1b. Thus, when there is no water or little water in the water collection cup 1, the float 2 is located on the drain outlet 1b, and the drain outlet 1b is sealed by the sealing ring 31 to improve the sealing performance.

[0044] In one embodiment, the sealing part 3 further includes a guide shaft 32, one end of which is connected to the bottom of the float 2 and located in the middle of the sealing ring 31, and the other end extends into the drain outlet 1b.

[0045] In this embodiment, during the rising and falling process of the float 2, the guide shaft 32 always passes through the drain outlet 1b to ensure that the sealing ring 31 can stably seal the drain outlet 1b. Furthermore, it should be noted that in this design, the water inlet 1a is also placed at the top of the water collection cup 1.

[0046] In one embodiment, the sealing part 3 further includes a plurality of support arms connected to the guide shaft 32 and spaced apart along the circumference and axial direction of the guide shaft 32. The ends of the support arms located in the drain outlet 1b press against the side wall of the drain outlet 1b.

[0047] In this embodiment, a support arm extends radially along the guide shaft 32 to support the sidewall of the drain outlet 1b. This allows drainage from the drain outlet 1b while preventing the float 2 from tilting, ensuring that the sealing ring 31 effectively seals the drain outlet 1b. It should be noted that the specific number of support arms is not limited, as long as a support arm is always present in the drain outlet 1b during the lifting and lowering of the guide shaft 32 along with the float 2. This ensures that the float 2 can lift and lower in a balanced manner, allowing the sealing ring 31 to effectively seal the drain outlet 1b.

[0048] It should be noted that the specific configuration of the adsorption structure 4 is not limited, as long as it can apply the above-mentioned adsorption force to the float 2. In one embodiment, the adsorption structure 4 is configured as a suction cup, and in another embodiment, the adsorption structure 4 is configured as a viscous adsorption component.

[0049] In one embodiment, the float structure further includes a mating magnet 5, which is disposed at the upper end of the float 2. The adsorption structure 4 includes an adsorption magnet 41, which is disposed inside the water collection cup 1 and located above the float 2. When the float 2 floats, it can magnetically attract the mating magnet 5 to apply an adsorption force to the float 2. The adsorption force is less than the sum of the weights of the float 2, the sealing part 3, and the mating magnet 5.

[0050] In this embodiment, the float 2 is attracted by the magnetic force generated by the adsorption magnet 41 and the cooperating magnet 5, so that after the water in the water collection cup 1 is drained to a low water level, the float 2 will overcome the magnetic force and the small buoyancy under its own weight, thus ensuring drainage efficiency.

[0051] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 4The water collection cup 1 also has an air inlet 1c, which is located above the preset water level 9; the float structure also includes a connecting arm 6 and a baffle plate 7. One end of the connecting arm 6 is connected to the float 2, and the baffle plate 7 is connected to the connecting arm 6 and attached to the side wall of the water collection cup 1 where the air inlet 1c is located. It also has a connecting port 7a. The connecting port 7a is offset from the air inlet 1c when the float 2 sinks to the bottom of the water collection cup 1, and connects to the air inlet 1c when the float 2 rises. The suction force is less than the sum of the weights of the float 2, the sealing part 3, the connecting arm 6 and the baffle plate 7.

[0052] In this embodiment, when the float 2 rises to the drainage position, the connecting port 7a connects to the air inlet 1c on the water collection cup 1, allowing the upper part of the water collection cup 1 to be connected to the outside, so as to quickly drain the water accumulated in the water collection cup 1. When the float 2 sinks to the bottom of the water collection cup 1, the connecting port 7a is offset from the air inlet 1c, and at this time the baffle plate 7 blocks the air inlet 1c to ensure the sealing of the water collection cup 1.

[0053] In one embodiment, the drainage device further includes a partition 8, which is installed on the side wall of the water collection cup 1 and surrounds a cavity 8a with the part of the water collection cup 1 that has an air inlet 1c. The partition 8 is provided with a guide port 8b that communicates with the cavity 8a and is located between the preset water level 9 and the air inlet 1c.

[0054] In this embodiment, a partition 8 is also provided on the outside of the air inlet 1c, and the partition 8 is connected to the air inlet 1c through the guide port 8b on the partition 8, so as to prevent the air inlet 1c from directly connecting to the outside and thus prevent foreign objects from entering the water collection cup 1.

[0055] In one embodiment, there are multiple air inlets 1c, which are evenly spaced along the circumference of the water collection cup 1; there are multiple sets of connecting arms 6 and baffles 7, which are evenly spaced along the circumference of the float 2; and multiple baffles 7 are installed on multiple connecting arms 6 and correspond to multiple air inlets 1c.

[0056] In this embodiment, multiple air inlets 1c are provided, which on the one hand further improves drainage efficiency, and on the other hand, multiple connecting arms 6 and baffles 7 can be evenly distributed on the float 2 to ensure the balance of the float 2, so that the float 2 can rise and fall stably.

[0057] It should be noted that the specific number of air inlets 1c is not limited; it can be two, three, or any other number. In one embodiment, two air inlets 1c are symmetrically provided, and two sets of corresponding connecting arms 6 and baffles 7 are provided.

[0058] In another embodiment, an air inlet 1c is provided, but a counterweight is provided on the side of the float 2 opposite to the support arm to ensure the float 2 is balanced in its lifting and lowering. In this case, the suction force is less than the sum of the weights of the float 2, the support arm, the baffle plate 7, and the sealing part 3.

[0059] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a fuel system including the drainage device described in any of the above embodiments. It should be noted that the detailed structure of the drainage device of the fuel system can be referred to the embodiments of the drainage device described above, and will not be repeated here; since the above-described drainage device is used in the fuel system of the present invention, the embodiments of the fuel system of the present invention include all the technical solutions of all the embodiments of the above-described drainage device, and the achieved technical effects are also completely the same, and will not be repeated here.

[0060] To better understand this invention, the following is combined with... Figures 1 to 4 The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below:

[0061] In this design, the float 2 in the drainage device is located inside the water collection cup 1. When the liquid level rises, the buoyancy of the float 2 increases, causing it to rise. When the liquid level reaches a set height, the drain port 1b sealed at the bottom of the float 2 opens, and simultaneously, the magnet at the top engages, initiating drainage. The float 2 does not descend. When the liquid level drops to another set height, the buoyancy decreases significantly, and the top magnet is insufficient to support the weight of the float 2, causing it to fall and seal the drain port 1b. The specific workflow is as follows:

[0062] When there is no water or very little water in the water collection cup 1, the sealing ring 31 at the bottom of the float 2 is in contact with the drain port 1b at the bottom of the water collection cup 1, and no water is drained; at the same time, the air inlet 1c on the upper side of the water collection cup 1 is blocked by the baffle plate 7, and no air intake is required.

[0063] As the liquid level in the water collection cup 1 rises, the drainage volume of the float 2 increases. Due to the increased buoyancy, when the liquid level rises to the set drainage level, the buoyancy F1 of the float 2 exceeds its weight G, causing the float 2 to rise. Its bottom sealing ring 31 rises accordingly, opening the drain outlet 1b. Simultaneously, the connecting port 7a on the baffle plate 7 connected to the float 2 coincides with the air inlet 1c on the side of the water collection cup 1. Outside air enters above the liquid surface of the water collection cup 1 through the guide port 8b, cavity 8a, air inlet 1c, and guide port 8b, initiating drainage. Furthermore, the mating magnet 5 at the top of the float 2 and the adsorption magnet 41 at the top of the water collection cup 1 approach and adhere together, preventing the float 2 from descending and blocking the drain outlet 1b during drainage.

[0064] As drainage continues, the liquid level drops, and the buoyancy of float 2 decreases. When the liquid level reaches the set position, the weight of float 2 exceeds the buoyancy of float 2 and the magnetic attraction between the magnets. That is, the weight G of float 2 is greater than the sum of the buoyancy F1 and the magnetic attraction f of float 2. Float 2 descends, and its bottom sealing ring 31 blocks the drain outlet 1b. At the same time, it drives the connecting arm 6 to descend. The connecting port 7a on the baffle plate 7 is misaligned with the air inlet 1c of the water collection cup 1, and drainage stops.

[0065] Therefore, the device has a simple structure and low cost. The control method based on physical principles ensures high reliability. The method of increasing magnetic attraction at the start of drainage effectively prevents the float 2 from descending and stopping drainage. The baffle 7 moves up and down synchronously with the float 2, effectively controlling the opening and closing of the air inlet 1c.

[0066] It should be understood that this drainage device can be used not only in fuel systems but also in other areas that require automatic drainage.

[0067] The specific embodiments of the present invention described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made in accordance with the technical concept of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A drainage device, characterized in that, The application relates to a drainage device. The drainage device comprises a water collecting cup, a float structure and an adsorption structure. The water collecting cup has a water inlet and a water outlet. The float structure comprises a float and a blocking part. The float is arranged in the water collecting cup and can float with the liquid level in the water collecting cup. The blocking part is arranged on the float and can block the water outlet when the float sinks to the bottom of the water collecting cup and open the water outlet when the float floats up. The adsorption structure is arranged on the water collecting cup and can adsorb the float and exert an upward adsorption force on the float when the float floats up. The adsorption force is smaller than the sum of the gravity of the float and the blocking part. The water outlet is located at the bottom of the water collecting cup. The blocking part comprises a sealing ring. The sealing ring is arranged at the bottom of the float and surrounds the outer periphery of the water outlet when the float sinks to the bottom of the water collecting cup.

2. The water drainage device according to claim 1, characterized in that The blocking part further comprises a guide shaft. One end of the guide shaft is connected to the bottom of the float and located in the middle of the sealing ring.

3. The water drainage device of claim 1, wherein, The other end of the guide shaft extends into the water outlet.

4. The water drainage device of claim 1, wherein, The blocking part further comprises a plurality of supporting arms. The supporting arms are connected to the guide shaft and arranged along the circumferential direction and axial direction of the guide shaft.

5. The water drainage device of claim 1, wherein, The end of the supporting arm located in the water outlet is pressed against the side wall of the water outlet.

6. A fuel system characterised in that, The water collecting cup further has an air inlet. The air inlet is located above the water level when the float floats up. The float structure further comprises a connecting arm and a shielding plate. One end of the connecting arm is connected to the float. The shielding plate is connected to the connecting arm and arranged on the side wall of the water collecting cup provided with the air inlet. The shielding plate is provided with a communication port. The communication port is offset from the air inlet when the float sinks to the bottom of the water collecting cup and communicates with the air inlet when the float floats up. The adsorption force is smaller than the sum of the gravity of the float, the blocking part, the connecting arm and the shielding plate. The float structure further comprises a matching magnet. The matching magnet is arranged at the upper end of the float. The adsorption structure comprises an adsorption magnet. The adsorption magnet is arranged in the water collecting cup and located above the float. The adsorption magnet can magnetically attract the matching magnet to exert the adsorption force on the float when the float floats up. The adsorption force is smaller than the sum of the gravity of the float, the blocking part and the matching magnet. The drainage device further comprises a partition plate. The partition plate is arranged outside the side wall of the water collecting cup and surrounds a cavity with the part of the water collecting cup provided with the air inlet. The partition plate is provided with a flow guide port. The flow guide port is located between the water level when the float floats up and the air inlet. The air inlet is provided with a plurality of air inlets. The air inlets are uniformly and spacedly arranged along the circumferential direction of the water collecting cup. The connecting arm and the shielding plate are respectively provided with a plurality of groups. The connecting arms are uniformly and spacedly arranged along the circumferential direction of the float. The shielding plates are respectively arranged on the connecting arms and correspond to the air inlets. The water inlet is located at the top of the water collecting cup. The drainage device comprises the drainage device according to any one of claims 1-5.

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