Device for liquid collection container

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for a liquid collection container (10), having a suction channel (12) with at least two spatially separated suction openings (14, 15), comprising at least a beam element (30) which is mounted on the suction channel (12) so as to be pivotable about at least one transverse axis (22) at a bearing point (16) between the at least two suction openings (14, 15), the beam element (30) comprises at least two arms (32) extending outwardly from a bearing point (16). A closing element (36) for one of the at least two suction openings (14, 15) is arranged on each of the at least two arms (32), said closing element closing the suction openings (14, 15) depending on the position of the beam element (30). The at least two arms (32) each have at least one buoyancy body (38) which is subjected to buoyancy in the liquid collected in the liquid collection container (10), whereby the respective arm (32) is pivoted in the buoyancy direction and the suction opening (14, 15) is opened by the closing element (36).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for a liquid collection container, the device having a suction channel with at least two spatially separated suction openings. Background Art

[0002] When sucking a liquid (such as engine oil) from an oil storage tank (such as an oil sump), there is a problem that when the oil storage tank moves due to external influences such as lateral acceleration, uphill or downhill, the liquid will be displaced in a certain direction. Especially in the case where the oil storage tank is designed as a flat surface, it is not always possible to ensure that there is still enough liquid at the central suction point, so air may be sucked.

[0003] DE 102016216359 A1 discloses a drive device with an oil sump for receiving and collecting engine oil for lubricating components of the drive device. After lubrication, the engine oil can flow into the oil sump and be collected in the oil sump. An oil baffle is arranged between the oil sump and the components for separating gas from the engine oil rolled up in the receiving chamber.

[0004] DE 102010024228 B4 describes an internal combustion engine having a lubricating oil collection container and an oil suction pipe arranged in the lubricating oil collection container and connected to a lubricating oil pump for sucking lubricating oil from the lubricating oil collection container. The oil suction pipe can move relative to the lubricating oil collection container in a swinging manner about a pivot axis and has a center of gravity arranged at a certain distance from the pivot axis. The pivot axis is oriented coaxially with a pipe section on the outlet side of the oil suction pipe. Here, the oil suction pipe can move relative to the lubricating oil collection container about the pivot axis against the force of a return spring designed as a torsion spring.

[0005] US10,569,202B1 describes a transmission filter including a container with a valve. The container has a front opening and a rear opening. When the vehicle goes uphill or downhill, the valve moves in response to the weight of the liquid on the higher side of the container. The valve is configured to prevent fluid from flowing from the front opening to the inlet in response to the weight of the fluid on the front side of the valve when the front opening is raised relative to the rear opening; and prevent fluid from flowing from the rear opening to the inlet when the rear opening is raised relative to the front opening, thereby preventing air from entering the inlet. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for a liquid collection container, the device having a suction channel with at least two spatially separated suction openings, and the device can improve the suction of the liquid.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above task is solved by a device for a liquid collection container, the device having a suction channel which has at least two spatially separated suction openings, the device at least comprising a beam element which is pivotally supported about at least one transverse axis on a support point arranged between the at least two suction openings of the suction channel, wherein the beam element at least comprises at least two arms extending outwards from the support point, wherein on each of the at least two arms there is arranged a closing element for one of the at least two suction openings, the closing element being configured to close the suction opening according to the position of the beam element, wherein each of the at least two arms has at least one buoyancy body which experiences buoyancy in the liquid collected in the liquid collection container, whereby the corresponding arm pivots in the direction of buoyancy and the corresponding suction opening is opened by the closing element.

[0008] Advantageous designs and advantages of the present invention are given in the other claims, the description and the drawings.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for a liquid collection container, the device having a suction channel which has at least two spatially separated suction openings, the device at least comprising a beam element which is pivotally supported about at least one transverse axis on a support point arranged between the at least two suction openings, wherein the beam element comprises at least two arms extending outwards from the support point. The beam element is pivotally arranged in a rocker-like manner about the support point. On each of the at least two arms there is arranged a closing element for one of the at least two suction openings, preferably in the form of a closing disc, the closing element being configured to close the suction opening according to the position of the beam element. Each of the at least two arms has at least one buoyancy body which is acted upon by buoyancy in the liquid collected in the liquid collection container, whereby the corresponding arm pivots in the direction of buoyancy and the corresponding suction opening is opened by the closing element.

[0010] In the proposed device, the liquid is sucked out of the liquid collection container at a plurality of spatially separated points from one another. Here, those suction points where there is no liquid or too little liquid are closed. This is achieved by means of a rotatably supported beam element, on both sides of which there are arranged closing elements for the suction openings, which can move up and down when the beam element is deflected. At least one buoyancy body is arranged on each side of the beam element. If now the liquid level is displaced on one side, the buoyancy acts only on the buoyancy bodies located in the liquid, and the beam element is lifted on this side. This increases the inlet cross-section in the suction channel on this side, while on the opposite side where there is no liquid or less liquid, the inlet cross-section in the suction channel is reduced until the inlet opening is finally completely closed.

[0011] The beam element and / or the closing element can be installed outside the suction channel. However, depending on the structural conditions, these components can also be integrated into the suction channel in whole or in part. The beam element, the closing element, and the buoyancy body do not necessarily have to be symmetrically arranged. Due to the different axial movement paths of the closing element, an asymmetrical configuration can also be presented by changing the size of the buoyancy body and adjusting the suction opening.

[0012] According to an advantageous design of the device, the support point can have a swivel joint or a spherical joint in which the beam element is pivotally supported. In this way, when the liquid level changes, the beam element can perform the required pivoting movement.

[0013] According to an advantageous design of the device, the buoyancy body can be arranged at the end of the arm of the beam element that points away from the support point. In this way, the lever arm required to move the closing element can act advantageously.

[0014] According to an advantageous design of the device, the buoyancy body and / or the closing element can be symmetrically arranged on the arm of the beam element with respect to the support point. In this way, the same axial movement path of the closing element can be advantageously achieved.

[0015] According to an advantageous design of the device, at least one spring element, in particular a compression spring, can be arranged between at least two arms of the beam element and the suction channel, which is supported on the arm and the suction channel. When the liquid level is horizontal, the deflection of the beam element is not precisely defined, which is initially irrelevant to the function. This situation can be further optimized by additional compression springs, for example, it can prevent the closing element from sticking when the device is deflected unilaterally and not activated for a long time in the idle state.

[0016] According to an advantageous design of the device, the suction channel can be configured as part of a liquid collection container. In this way, the suction channel can be advantageously integrated into the liquid collection container, thereby advantageously reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0017] According to an advantageous design of the device, the beam element can include at least four arms that extend outward from a common support point, in particular, at least four arms are arranged in a cross shape. By adding other beam elements that are arranged at an angle to the first beam element and rigidly connected to the first beam element, the size of the device can be further expanded, for example, in the transverse and longitudinal directions. The swivel joint of the support point is replaced by a spherical joint in this case. The suction openings do not necessarily have to be directly opposite, so for example, a star-shaped arrangement of the suction openings can also be envisaged.

[0018] According to an advantageous design of the device, the buoyancy body can be clamped on the arm of the beam element. In this way, the buoyancy body can also be replaced if necessary. The assembly of the device can also be designed advantageously in this way.

[0019] According to an advantageous design of the device, the closing element can be pivotally supported on the arm by means of a swivel joint. This ensures that the closing element can also reliably close the suction opening.

[0020] According to an advantageous design of the device, the closing element can have at least one guide element by means of which the closing movement of the closing element can be guided in the suction opening. This ensures that the closing element can be reliably inserted or placed (ein-bzw.aufgesetzt) on the suction opening respectively and can close it tightly.

[0021] According to an advantageous design of the device, at least one additional guide element can be arranged at the suction opening to prevent the closing element from twisting (Verdrehen). This ensures that the closing element can be reliably inserted or placed on the suction opening respectively and can close it tightly.

[0022] According to an advantageous design of the device, the suction opening or the closing element can have at least one surrounding sealing element by means of which the suction opening can be sealed and closed. In this way, when the closing element sinks, the suction opening can be tightly closed.

[0023] According to an advantageous design of the device, the closing element can be guided in a slot that extends in particular along the arm on the arm of the beam element. This allows the closing element to be placed in the correct position of the suction opening respectively and to close it tightly.

[0024] According to an advantageous design of the device, the closing element can be configured as a closing disk. The closing disk can be configured as a flat closing element that abuts against the suction opening when closed. Description of the Drawings

[0025] Other advantages result from the following description of the drawings. Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings. The drawings, the description and the claims contain a large number of feature combinations. Those skilled in the art can also appropriately consider these features individually and summarize other suitable combinations.

[0026] Exemplarily:

[0027] Figure 1 An isometric view of a device for a liquid collection container according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, the device having a suction channel with at least two spatially separated suction openings;

[0028] Figure 2 Shows according to Figure 1 a top view of the device;

[0029] Figure 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the device according to Figure 2 on section A-A;

[0030] Figure 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the device according to Figure 2 with details on section B-B;

[0031] Figure 5 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the device according to Figure 2 with details on section C-C;

[0032] Figure 6 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the device under an inclined liquid level;

[0033] Figure 7 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the device under another inclined liquid level;

[0034] Figure 8 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 9 shows a top view of the device according to another embodiment of the present invention, having four arms;

[0036] Figure 10 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the support points of the beam of the device according to Figure 9 ;

[0037] Figure 11 shows a top view of the device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 12 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the device according to Figure 11 on section A-A; and

[0039] Figure 13 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the device according to Figure 11 on section B-B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Identical or like parts in the drawings are marked with the same reference numerals. The drawings show only examples and should not be construed as restrictive.

[0041] To explain the present invention, Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a device 100 for a liquid collection container 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the device having a suction channel 12 with two spatially separated suction openings 14, 15. Figure 2 shows a top view of the device 100, while Figure 3 presents according to Figure 2Longitudinal sectional view of the device 100 on section A-A.

[0042] The device 100 includes a beam element 30 which is pivotally supported about at least one transverse axis 22 at a support point 16 arranged between two suction openings 14, 15 on the suction channel 12. For this purpose, the support point 16 has a swivel joint 18.

[0043] The beam element 30 includes two arms 32 which extend outward from the support point 16. A closing disk 36 for one of the suction openings 14, 15 is arranged on each of the two arms 32. The closing disk 36 closes the corresponding suction opening 14, 15 according to the position of the beam element 30.

[0044] Each of the two arms 32 has a buoyancy body 38 which is buoyed in the liquid collected in the liquid collection container 10. Accordingly, the corresponding arm 32 pivots in the buoyancy direction, thereby opening the corresponding suction opening 14, 15 through the closing disk 36. The buoyancy body 38 is arranged at the end 34 of the arm 32 of the beam element 30 pointing away from the support point 16. The buoyancy body 38 is clamped or locked on the arm 32 of the beam element 30.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the buoyancy body 38 and the closing disk 36 are symmetrically arranged on the arm 32 of the beam element 30 with respect to the support point 16.

[0046] However, the beam element 30, the closing disk 36 and the buoyancy body 38 do not necessarily have to be symmetrically arranged. Due to the different axial movement paths of the closing disk 36, the sizes of the corresponding buoyancy bodies 38 and the adaptation of the suction openings 14, 15 are also different, so an asymmetrical arrangement can also be achieved.

[0047] The closing disk 36 is pivotally supported on the arm 32 by means of a swivel joint 42. In addition, as Figure 3 can be seen, the closing disk 36 has a vertical guide element 44 by means of which the closing movement of the closing disk 36 is guided in the suction openings 14, 15.

[0048] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 can be seen, other guide elements 28 are arranged on the suction openings 14, 15 to prevent the closing disk 36 from twisting.

[0049] In Figure 3 the sectional layout view, it can be seen that the suction openings 14, 15 have a surrounding sealing element 26 by means of which the suction opening 14 can be tightly closed. Alternatively, the sealing element 26 can also be arranged on the closing disk 36.

[0050] The liquid collection container 10 is filled with liquid up to the liquid level 50, wherein the device 100 is in Figure 3is immersed in the liquid.

[0051] From Figure 2 In the top view, the closing disk 36 is guided on the arm 32 of the beam element 30 in the oblong hole 46, which extends in particular along the arm 32.

[0052] Alternatively, the suction channel 12 can also be configured as part of the liquid collection container 10.

[0053] Figure 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the details of the device 100 according to Figure 2 in section B-B. Here, the rotary joint 42 can be seen, in which the closing disk 36 is guided on the beam element 30. The guide element 44 is guided vertically in the guide device 24 arranged on the suction channel 12. The sealing element 26 arranged around the suction opening 14 can also be seen. The buoyancy body 38 is not located in section B-B but is shown in the background.

[0054] Figure 5 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the details of the device 100 according to Figure 2 in section C-C. In Figure 5 the support point 16 of the beam element 30 and the rotary joint 18 can be seen basically. The buoyancy body 38 is again shown in the background.

[0055] Figure 6 presents a longitudinal sectional view of the device 100 under the inclined liquid collection container 10 and the corresponding inclined liquid surface 50, while Figure 7 shows the device under the reversely inclined liquid collection container 10 and the corresponding inclined liquid surface 50.

[0056] In Figure 6 the liquid accumulates on the right image plane, while in Figure 7 the liquid accumulates on the left image plane. Thus, in Figure 6 the suction opening 15 is open because the buoyancy body 38 floats upward under the action of buoyancy there and lifts the valve disk 36 connected thereto, while the suction opening 14 is closed because there is no liquid there. In contrast, in Figure 7 in the reversely inclined liquid collection container 10, the suction opening 14 is open while the suction opening 15 is closed because there is no liquid there.

[0057] Figure 8Shows a longitudinal sectional view of the device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Here, spring elements 40, in particular compression springs, are respectively arranged between the two arms 32 of the beam element 30 and the suction channel 12, and the spring elements are supported on the arms 32 and the suction channel 12. By means of the spring elements 40, it is possible to ensure that the deflection of the beam element can be accurately determined even at the liquid level. For example, in this way, it is possible to prevent the closing disc 36 from sticking during the idle state of the device 100 with unilateral deflection and long-term inactivity.

[0058] Figure 9 Shows a top view of the device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention, having four arms 32. Here, the beam element 30 includes four arms 32 that extend outward from a common support point 16. The four arms 32 are arranged in a cross shape. In this embodiment, the support point 16 has a spherical joint 20, and the beam element 30 is pivotally supported in the spherical joint 20. Figure 10 Shows a longitudinal sectional view of the spherical joint 20.

[0059] With this embodiment of the beam element 30 with four cross-shaped arms 32, it is possible to more flexibly cope with the changes in the liquid level 50 caused by the inclination of the liquid collection container 10 in different spatial directions, so that the liquid can be sucked out of the liquid collection container 10 without sucking air.

[0060] Figure 11 Shows a top view of the device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 Shows according to Figure 11 A longitudinal sectional view of the device 100 on section A-A. Figure 13 Shows according to Figure 11 A longitudinal sectional view of the device 100 on section B-B.

[0061] In this embodiment, the beam element 30 with the closing disc 36 is arranged in the suction channel 12. The rotary joint 42 or the corresponding guiding element 44 of the closing disc 36 is also arranged in the suction channel 12. The buoyancy bodies 38 are respectively connected to the guiding element 44 through fastening elements 48, and the buoyancy bodies are located outside the suction channel 12 due to their functions. In this embodiment, each arm 32 of the beam element 30 has two buoyancy bodies 38.

[0062] List of reference numerals

[0063] 10 Liquid collection container

[0064] 12 Suction channel

[0065] 14 Suction opening

[0066] 15 Suction opening

[0067] 16 Support point

[0068] 18 Rotary joint

[0069] 20 Ball joint

[0070] 22 Cross shaft

[0071] 24 Guide device

[0072] 26 Sealing element

[0073] 28 Guide element

[0074] 30 Beam element

[0075] 32 Arm

[0076] 34 End

[0077] 36 Closing disk

[0078] 38 Buoyancy body

[0079] 40 Spring element

[0080] 42 Rotary joint

[0081] 44 Guide element

[0082] 46 Long hole

[0083] 48 Fastening element

[0084] 50 Liquid level

[0085] 100 Device

Claims

1. Device (100) for a liquid collection container (10), the device having a suction channel (12) with two spatially separated suction openings (14, 15), the device at least comprising: a beam element (30) pivotally supported about at least one transverse axis (22) at a support point (16) arranged between the at least two suction openings (14, 15) in the suction channel (12), wherein the beam element (30) comprises at least two arms (32) extending outwardly from the support point (16), wherein a closing element (36) for one of the at least two suction openings (14, 15) is arranged on each of the at least two arms (32), the closing element being configured to close the suction opening (14, 15) according to the position of the beam element (30), wherein each of the at least two arms (32) has at least one buoyancy body (38) which is buoyed in the liquid collected in the liquid collection container (10), whereby the corresponding arm (32) pivots in the buoyancy direction and the corresponding suction opening (14, 15) is opened by the closing element (36).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, the support point (16) has a swivel joint (18) or a ball joint (20), and the beam element (30) is pivotally supported in the swivel joint or the ball joint.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the buoyancy body (38) is arranged at an end (34) of the arm (32) of the beam element (30) pointing away from the support point (16).

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the buoyancy body (38) and / or the closing element (36) are arranged symmetrically on the arm (32) of the beam element (30) with respect to the support point (16).

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, at least one spring element (40), in particular a compression spring, is respectively arranged between the at least two arms (32) of the beam element (30) and the suction channel (12), and the spring element is supported on the arm (32) and the suction channel (12).

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the suction channel (12) is configured as part of the liquid collection container (10).

7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the beam element (32) comprises at least four arms (32) extending outwardly from a common support point (16), in particular wherein the at least four arms (32) are arranged in a cross shape.

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the buoyancy body (38) is clamped on the arm (32) of the beam element (30).

9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the closing element (36) is pivotally supported on the arm (32) by a swivel joint (42).

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the closing element (36) has at least one guiding element (44), by means of which the closing movement of the closing element (36) is guided in the suction openings (14, 15).

11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, at least one further guiding element (28) is arranged on the suction openings (14, 15) for preventing the closing element (36) from twisting.

12. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the suction openings (14, 15) or the closing element (36) has at least one surrounding sealing element (26), by means of which the suction opening (14) can be closed in a sealed manner.

13. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the closing element (36) is guided in an oblong hole (46) on the arm (32) of the beam element (30), in particular extending along the arm (32).

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