Retarder with optimized exhaust port

Abstract

The invention relates to a retarder having an exhaust system, by means of which exhaust gas can be discharged from an oil tank into the surroundings, an exhaust duct comprising an inlet opening and an outlet opening being integrated in a retarder housing, the exhaust system being arranged between the outlet opening and the surroundings. According to the invention, the exhaust system comprises a separating element having two sub-sections, namely an outer section extending outside the exhaust duct and an inner section extending inside the exhaust duct.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a retarder with an optimized exhaust port for discharging compressed air into the environment. In particular, the invention relates to a retarder with an exhaust system by means of which exhaust gases can be discharged from an oil reservoir into the environment, wherein an exhaust duct is integrated in the retarder housing, which exhaust duct comprises an inlet opening and an outlet opening, wherein the exhaust system is arranged between the outlet opening and the environment. BACKGROUND

[0002] Hydrodynamic retarders are used, for example, as wear-free brakes in the drive train of motor vehicles in order to brake the motor vehicle, in particular a truck, bus or rail vehicle, by means of a hydrodynamic circulation to transfer torque.

[0003] The retarder comprises an annular working chamber formed by a rotor and a stator, which working chamber is connected to a working medium circulation circuit with a working medium reservoir by means of a channel system. Exhausting of the working chamber takes place by means of a profiled exhaust system, by means of which air can be released by means of a connection between the working chamber and the environment. When the retarder is switched into a braking operation, air present in the working chamber in a non-braking operation is discharged from the working chamber into the environment by means of the profiled exhaust system. In order to prevent the working medium, in particular oil, from entering the environment, an oil separator and a valve are provided.

[0004] In addition, a reservoir exhaust system is provided, by means of which air can be released by means of a connection between the working medium reservoir and the environment. When the retarder is switched back into a non-braking operation, air pumped into the working medium reservoir in order to switch the retarder into a braking operation is discharged from the reservoir into the environment by means of the reservoir exhaust system. In order to prevent the working medium, in particular oil, from entering the environment with the air during the working medium reservoir exhaust, an oil separation system and a valve are provided.

[0005] Both exhaust systems are known, for example, from DE 10 2013 207 004 A1. Special requirements are placed on the reservoir exhaust, since, in order to switch the retarder into a braking operation, the working medium has to be pressed from the working medium reservoir into the working chamber by means of compressed air. The degree of filling of the working chamber and thus the braking power of the retarder depends on the air pressure, by means of which the degree of filling is adjusted. In order to switch into a non-braking operation or in the case of a reduction in the braking torque of the retarder, this means that the compressed air has to be released. In particular, oil foam is produced when the retarder is switched off, wherein the oil fraction of the oil foam must not enter the environment. In order to prevent this, different channels arranged between the working medium reservoir and the environment are known. For example, a channel arrangement with a plurality of separation chambers is known from CN 105 697 602 A, which separation chambers have different structures.

[0006] The oil discharge allowed by modern retarders has been reduced so much that the measures known for reducing oil discharge when the working medium tank is vented are no longer sufficient.

[0007] It is also known to use perforated sintered discs which are positioned at the outlet of the retarder venting duct. These sintered discs prevent coarse dirt from entering the retarder, prevent the closing noise when the retarder is vented from exceeding the sound level, and prevent influencing the closing time of the retarder. SUMMARY

[0008] The technical problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a solution for improving the exhaust gas treatment at the outlet of the retarder venting duct.

[0009] The technical problem is solved according to the invention by the retarder mentioned at the outset. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the description.

[0010] It is proposed here a retarder having a venting system by which exhaust gas can be discharged from an oil reservoir to the environment, wherein a venting duct is integrated in the retarder housing, which venting duct comprises an inlet opening and an outlet opening, wherein the venting system is arranged between the outlet opening and the environment.

[0011] According to the proposal of the invention, the venting system comprises a separating element having two sub-sections, namely an outer section extending outside the venting duct and an inner section extending inside the venting duct. By this implementation of the separating element, the proportion of oil particles entering the environment with the exhaust gas is significantly reduced, in particular because the oil deposited on the separating element already collects on the inner section and can drip back into the venting duct.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the venting system can comprise a guiding device which provides an impact surface behind the separating element in the venting direction and by which the venting direction can be changed. The guiding device can be a deflector, against which the exhaust gas impacts and which deflects the exhaust gas. Thereby, it is prevented that possible residual oil particles enter the environment uncontrolled. The residual oil collects on the deflector and can be purposefully guided therefrom. It is thereby prevented that an oil film deposits uncontrolled on adjacent components.

[0013] Furthermore, the separating element can be a wire mesh or made of a porous material. Here, the wire mesh can have different weaving densities in the outer section and in the inner section. In particular, the weaving density can be adapted to the expected amount of residual oil in the exhaust gas flow. A cap-shaped wire mesh can also be considered, in particular in order to improve the air discharge and / or to reduce the flow resistance and to increase the surface of the discharge side.

[0014] It can be provided in a preferred embodiment that the inner sections are arranged in the exhaust duct such that the exhaust gas entering the exhaust duct through the inlet opening impinges on the inner sections substantially transversely to the exhaust direction.

[0015] Furthermore, an oil collector and / or an oil drain can be arranged in the exhaust duct. In order to be able to reduce the structural size of the individual separation elements, it is provided that there are at least three separation elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] The application is explained below with the aid of the drawings. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic view of an exhaust system is shown

[0018] Figure 2 An exhaust duct with three exhaust systems is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic view of an exhaust system 1 for a retarder is shown. Here, the exhaust system 1 is composed of a separation element 4 and a guide device 7.

[0020] Instead of a sintered plate located behind the outlet opening 9, which is known from the prior art, the separation element 4 is designed here as a wire mesh, which can be shaped as shown. The wire mesh constitutes an insert, which is inserted or mounted from the outside into the retarder housing, so that the inner sections 6 of the separation element 4 protrude into the exhaust duct 2. Oil particles in the exhaust gas are captured by the woven mesh structure of the wire mesh and accumulate on this structure.

[0021] During the time between braking processes, i.e. when no air flow from the MRCU 3 enters the exhaust duct through the inlet opening 8, the oil accumulations on the surface of the wire mesh can drip back into the exhaust duct. These oils can be collected in an oil collector and / or drained off through an oil drain 11, for example.

[0022] The outer section 5 of the separation element 4 is arranged behind the outlet opening 9. After the air is discharged from the outer section 5, this air impinges on the guide device 7, i.e. on a plate element designed as a deflector and deflecting the compressed air. The residual oil quantity discharged is thus collected and conducted out in a targeted manner, so that adjacent components are as little affected by the oil mist as possible.

[0023] Figure 2 An exhaust duct 2 with three exhaust systems is shown. The inner sections 6 of the separation elements 4, which protrude into the exhaust duct 2, are arranged such that, when the retarder is switched to non-braking operation, air or compressed air from the reservoir impinges on the inner sections 6 of the separation elements 4 laterally from the MRCU, thereby blowing these inner sections clean. The number of filter elements, the length of the inner sections and the position and size of the oil collector can vary.

[0024] List of reference signs

[0025] 1 exhaust system

[0026] 2 exhaust duct

[0027] 3 MRCU (Mechatronic Retarder Control Unit)

[0028] 4 separating element

[0029] 5 outer section

[0030] 6 inner section

[0031] 7 guide device

[0032] 8 inlet opening

[0033] 9 outlet opening

[0034] 10 retarder housing

[0035] 11 oil drain

Claims

1. A retarder having an exhaust system (1) through which exhaust gas is discharged from an oil storage tank into the environment, wherein, An exhaust duct (2) is integrated in the retarder housing, the exhaust duct including an inlet opening (8) and an outlet opening (9), wherein an exhaust system (1) is arranged between the outlet opening (9) and the environment, characterized in that the exhaust system (1) includes a separation element (4) having two sub-sections, namely an outer section (5) extending outside the exhaust duct and an inner section (6) extending inside the exhaust duct (2).

2. The retarder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exhaust system (1) includes a guide device (7) that provides an impact surface in the exhaust direction and can change the exhaust direction.

3. The retarder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The separating element (4) is a metal wire mesh or made of porous material.

4. The retarder according to claim 3, characterized in that, The wire mesh has different weaving densities in the outer section (5) and the inner section (6).

5. The retarder according to claim 4, characterized in that, The internal section (6) is arranged in the exhaust pipe (2) such that the exhaust gas entering the exhaust pipe (2) through the inlet opening impacts the internal section (6) in a manner that is substantially transverse to the exhaust direction.

6. The retarder according to claim 1, characterized in that, An oil collector and / or an oil drain are arranged in the exhaust pipe (2).

7. The retarder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exhaust system (1) includes at least three separation elements (4).

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