Filling system for vacuum filling of coolant

Abstract

Filling system (1) for vacuum filling of coolant (4), comprising - a radiator venting device (2) having a first connection (21) for connecting to a vehicle radiator (3), a second connection (22) for connecting to a coolant reservoir (40), a third connection (23) for connecting compressed air (5) and a fourth connection (24), and - a separation device (6) for separating particles from a gas stream, - wherein the separating device (6) is connected to the fourth port (24) of the radiator venting device (3), - wherein the separating device (6) - has a first opening (61) which is connected to the fourth port (24) of the radiator vent device (2), - has a second opening (62) for connecting to a collection container (7), and - has a third opening (63) for the outlet of an airflow, - wherein the separating device (6) has a cover element (64) which is movably arranged in the third opening (63), wherein the cover element (64) has a first partial body (641) and a second partial body (642) which is rigidly connected to the first partial body (641), wherein the second partial body (642) has a plurality of through-openings (643), and wherein the through-openings (643) each have a polygonal cross-section perpendicular to their longitudinal extent.

Description

[0001] A filling system is described. This filling system is specifically designed for vacuum filling of coolant. For example, a vehicle radiator can be filled with coolant using this system. Furthermore, an arrangement for vacuum filling a vehicle radiator with coolant is described.

[0002] In current technology, the exhaust air generated during the vacuum filling of cooling systems is released into the environment without filtration. Due to the antifreeze contained in the exhaust air, which is finely atomized and blown into the surrounding air, this poses health risks for employees, particularly from inhaling unfiltered fumes, as well as a risk of environmental contamination. This can, for example, damage surrounding objects and increase the risk of accidents in the adjacent work area.

[0003] The publication DE 10 2007 029 020 A1 describes a system for vacuum pressure filling of assemblies with gaseous or liquid media.

[0004] Document FR 2 436 256 A1 discloses a mobile station for the automatic emptying of motor vehicle engine casings with a stop device at the end of the emptying process and a device for saving compressed air.

[0005] German patent application DE 24 43 823 A1 describes a waste oil extraction device, particularly for extracting engine oil from motor vehicles, comprising a pressure vessel, a compressed air-operated injector pump that creates a vacuum in the vessel, and an oil suction hose with a probe. Devices of this type are used for extracting waste oil from motor vehicle engines.

[0006] The Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances (TRGS) reflect the state of the art in technology, occupational medicine, and industrial hygiene, as well as other established scientific findings for activities involving hazardous substances, including their classification and labeling. The TRGS are published by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) in the Joint Ministerial Gazette (GMBl). Sections 4.3.4 and 4.3.5 of TRGS 5000 provide guidance on handling liquids.

[0007] Based on the state of the art, it is therefore a problem to be solved for at least some embodiments to specify a filling system for the vacuum filling of coolant, in the use of which the aforementioned disadvantages can be avoided.

[0008] This problem is solved by an object according to the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are further described in the dependent patent claims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0009] According to at least one embodiment, a filling system for vacuum filling coolant comprises a radiator venting device and a separator. The radiator venting device preferably has a first connection for connecting to a vehicle radiator, a second connection for connecting to a coolant reservoir, a third connection for connecting compressed air, and a fourth connection. For example, the connections can be designed as openings in the radiator venting device. The radiator venting device can, for example, have a housing in which the connections or openings are formed. The housing can, for example, be made of plastic.

[0010] The separator is preferably used to separate particles from a gas stream. These particles can be, for example, liquid and / or solid. The separator is connected to the fourth port of the radiator vent. For example, the separator can be connected to the fourth port of the radiator vent by means of a connecting element, such as a connecting hose.

[0011] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the separation device is designed as a cyclone separator. With the cyclone separator, particles contained in a gas stream can be accelerated radially outwards due to the centrifugal forces acting upon them and thereby separated from the gas stream. The cyclone separator can also be referred to as a centrifugal separator.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the radiator venting device includes a vacuum generation unit. The vacuum generation unit can, for example, include a Venturi nozzle.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the radiator vent device includes a pressure measuring unit. The pressure measuring unit preferably includes a display element. The display element can, in particular, be designed as a pressure indicator.

[0014] The radiator venting device advantageously allows for the rapid filling of a vehicle radiator with coolant, thus preventing air entrapment. The separator device filters the resulting exhaust air without negatively impacting the flow rate at the vacuum generation unit.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the separator has a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening. The first opening of the separator is preferably connected to the fourth port of the radiator vent. For example, the first opening of the separator can be connected to the fourth port of the radiator vent by means of a connecting element, such as a connecting hose. The second opening of the separator is preferably used for connection to a collection container. The collection container can, for example, be screwed to the second opening of the separator. Therefore, the second opening preferably has a thread. The third opening of the separator is preferably used for the outlet of an airflow, in particular an airflow filtered after passing through the separator.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, the separating device has a cover element. Preferably, the cover element is movably arranged in the third opening. The cover element can, for example, have a first sub-body and a second sub-body, which can be rigidly connected to each other by a connecting piece. The first and second sub-bodies can, for example, each be cylindrical. The connecting piece can, for example, be pin-shaped. The second sub-body of the cover element preferably has a plurality of through-openings. For example, the through-openings can each have a polygonal cross-section perpendicular to their longitudinal extent. Preferably, a majority of the through-openings perpendicular to the longitudinal extent each have the shape of a regular hexagon. By means of the cover element, droplets contained in an airflow and those that occasionally escape can be captured particularly well.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, the second port of the radiator venting device has a valve. This valve can, in particular, be a shut-off valve. According to a further embodiment, the third port of the radiator venting device has another valve, which can, for example, be a venting valve. To operate the filling system, the valve of the third port can first be opened while the valve of the second port remains closed. This allows compressed air from a compressed air source to flow through the third port into the vacuum generation unit, thereby evacuating a vehicle radiator connected to the first port. Afterward, the valve of the third port can be closed and the valve of the second port opened. This draws coolant from a coolant reservoir connected to the second port into the vehicle radiator.Preferably, the fourth port is designed as a shut-off valve so that no air can be drawn in through the fourth port.

[0018] Contaminated air from the radiator vent is introduced into the separator during operation of the filling system and set into rotation. Centrifugal forces force the coolant contained in the air outwards, separating it from the air. The separated coolant then flows by gravity into a collection container connected to the second opening of the separator.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the separating device comprises or consists of a plastic. For example, the separating device comprises or consists of a thermoplastic material. Particularly preferably, the separating device comprises or consists of a polylactic acid (PLA) plastic.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the deposition device is manufactured using a rapid prototyping process. For example, the deposition device can be manufactured using laser sintering. Furthermore, the deposition device can be manufactured using laser melting or stereolithography. As an alternative to the rapid prototyping process, the deposition device can also be manufactured using a conventional manufacturing process, such as injection molding.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the separation device comprises a plurality of individual parts. For example, all individual parts can be made of a thermoplastic material. Preferably, all individual parts are manufactured using a rapid prototyping process. The individual parts of the separation device are preferably bonded together.

[0022] Furthermore, an arrangement for vacuum-filling a vehicle radiator with coolant is described. The filling system used can have one or more features of the previously described vacuum-filling system for coolant. The vacuum-filling arrangement comprises a previously described filling system, a vehicle radiator, a coolant reservoir filled with coolant, and a compressed air source for supplying compressed air. The vehicle radiator is preferably connected to the first port of the radiator venting device. The coolant reservoir filled with coolant is preferably connected to the second port of the radiator venting device. The compressed air source for supplying compressed air is preferably connected to the third port of the radiator venting device. The compressed air source can, for example, be designed as a compressor or as a compressed air reservoir.The vehicle radiator, the coolant reservoir and the compressed air source can each be connected to the respective connection of the radiator venting device by means of a connecting element, such as a connecting hose.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the second opening of the separator device of the filling system is connected to a collection container. For example, the second opening can have a thread, such as an internal thread, to which the collection container is screwed. The collection container preferably has a fill level indicator. The container can be used to collect residual coolant. This residual coolant can then be disposed of in an environmentally sound manner.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the filling system and the coolant reservoir are arranged on a mobile unit. The mobile unit can, for example, be designed as a trolley. Preferably, the coolant reservoir is arranged on the mobile unit such that it has a distance of at least 1.0 m from the ground surface on which the mobile unit is located.

[0025] The vacuum filling system for vehicle radiators with coolant described here can advantageously reduce cleaning efforts at the workplace, particularly through the use of a separator. Furthermore, it minimizes health risks to employees and reduces the risk of workplace accidents. Problematic air pockets in a vehicle radiator can be avoided through vacuum filling.

[0026] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the filling system for vacuum filling of coolant described here result from the following in conjunction with the Fig. The embodiments described in points 1 to 6 are shown. Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a filling system according to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an arrangement for vacuum-filling a vehicle radiator with coolant according to a further embodiment, Fig. 3 and Fig. Four different views of a separation device in schematic exploded views according to a further embodiment, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a separation unit of the separation device according to a further embodiment, and Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a lid element of the separation device according to a further embodiment.

[0027] In the exemplary embodiments and figures, identical or similarly functioning components may be designated with the same reference numerals. The depicted elements and their relative sizes are generally not to be considered to scale. Rather, individual elements may be exaggeratedly thick or large for clarity and / or better understanding.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a filling system 1 for vacuum filling of coolant according to an exemplary embodiment. The filling system 1 comprises a radiator venting device 2 and a separator 6 connected to the radiator venting device 2 for separating particles from a gas stream. The radiator venting device 2 has a first connection 21 for connecting to a vehicle radiator, a second connection 22 for connecting to a coolant reservoir, a third connection 23 for connecting compressed air, and a fourth connection 24. Furthermore, the radiator venting device 2 preferably has a housing, which may, for example, be made of plastic, and in which the connections 21, 22, 23, and 24 may be designed as openings. The radiator venting device 2 preferably also includes a vacuum generation unit and a pressure measuring unit. The vacuum generation unit may, for example, comprise a Venturi nozzle.The pressure measuring unit preferably has a display element 25 for pressure indication. The radiator vent device 2 is connected to the separator device 6 by means of a connecting element 8, which is designed as a connecting hose.

[0029] The separator 6 is designed as a cyclone separator and has a first opening 61 which is connected to the fourth port 24 of the radiator vent device 2 by means of the connecting element 8. Furthermore, the separator 6 has a second opening 62 for connection to a collection container and a third opening 63 for the outlet of a filtered airflow.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement 10 for vacuum-filling a vehicle radiator 3 with coolant 4 according to a further embodiment. The filling system 1 used is the same as that described in connection with the Fig. The filling system 1 described above is implemented. The arrangement 10 comprises, in addition to the filling system 1, the following: Fig. 1 a vehicle radiator 3, which is connected by means of a first connecting hose 8 to the first connection 21 of the radiator vent device 2 of the filling system 1, a coolant reservoir 40 filled with coolant 4, which is connected by means of a second connecting hose 8 to the second connection 22 of the radiator vent device 2 of the filling system 1, and a compressed air source 50 for supplying compressed air 5. The compressed air source 50 is connected by means of a third connecting hose 8 to the third connection 23 of the radiator vent device 2 of the filling system 1.

[0031] The second opening 62 of the separator 6 is connected to a collection container 7. For this purpose, the second opening 62 has an internal thread into which the collection container 7 is screwed. The collection container has a fill level indicator, so that it can be easily determined when the collection container needs to be emptied.

[0032] By means of the described arrangement 10, problematic air inclusions in the vehicle radiator 3 can be avoided when filling with coolant 4, and contaminated exhaust air escaping from the radiator vent device 2 can be cleaned by means of the separator device 6.

[0033] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows various schematic exploded views of a separation device 6, designed as a cyclone separator. The separation device 6 has a first opening 61 for connecting to a radiator vent 2, a second opening 62 for connecting to a collection container 7, and a third opening 63 for the outlet of an airflow. It is constructed from a plurality of individual parts 64, 65, 66, 67, 68. Preferably, the individual parts 64, 65, 66, 67, 68 are made of a thermoplastic material and are manufactured using a rapid prototyping process. For example, the individual parts 64, 65, 66, 67, 68 can be bonded together.

[0034] The individual components consist of a separation unit 65, a connecting part 66 connected to the separation unit 65, a drip tray 67 connected to the connecting part 66, a fastening part 68 connected to the drip tray 67, and a cover element 64 connected to the separation unit 65. The drip tray 67 is funnel-shaped. The cover element 64 is movably arranged in the opening 63 formed in the separation unit 65. An outflowing airflow can lift the cover element 64 and catch any droplets that escape in the airflow. Detailed views of the separation unit 65 and the cover element 64 are shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the separation unit 65 and the mounting part 68 each have a mounting area 651, 681 for connection to a counterpart 69. By means of the mounting areas 651, 681 and the counterparts 69, the separation device 6 can be attached to a holding device, for example, to a holding device of a mobile unit.

[0035] In the Fig. 5 is the separation unit 65 of the separation device 6 from the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows a detailed view. The separation unit 65 has an internal guide element 650 for guiding a gas flow. Preferably, the guide element 650 extends radially within the separation unit 65. The separation unit 65 serves as a separation section of the cyclone separator 6.

[0036] The Fig. Figure 6 shows a detailed view of the cover element 64 from the Fig. 3 and Fig.4. The cover element 64 comprises a first sub-body 641 and a second sub-body 642, which are connected to each other by means of a connecting piece 644. The connecting piece 644 is pin-shaped. The first and second sub-bodies 641 and 642 are each cylindrical. The second sub-body 642 has a plurality of through-openings 643, each of which has a polygonal cross-sectional area perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the through-openings. In particular, the through-openings perpendicular to the longitudinal extent each have the shape of a regular hexagon. By means of the cover element 64, which is preferably movably arranged in an opening of the separation unit 65, an airflow exiting the separation unit 65 can be converted into a straight airflow by means of the through-openings 643 of the second sub-body 642.Furthermore, individual drops escaping from the airflow can be captured by means of the lid element 64.

[0037] The features described in the illustrated embodiments can also be combined according to further embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, the embodiments shown in the figures can have further features according to the embodiments described in the general description. Reference symbol list 1 Filling system 2 Radiator venting device 21 first connection 22 second connection 23 third connection 24 fourth connection 25 Display element 3 vehicle radiators 4 Coolant 40 coolant reservoirs 5 Compressed air 50 compressed air source 6 Separation device 61 first opening 62 second opening 63 third opening 64 Cover element 641 first subbody 642 second subbody 643 through openings 644 Connector 65 Separation unit 650 guide element 651 Mounting area 66 Connecting part 67 Draining compartment 68 Fastening part 681 Mounting area 69 counterpart 7 collection containers 8 Connecting element 10 Arrangement

Claims

[1] Filling system (1) for vacuum filling of coolant (4), comprising - a radiator venting device (2) having a first connection (21) for connecting to a vehicle radiator (3), a second connection (22) for connecting to a coolant reservoir (40), a third connection (23) for connecting compressed air (5) and a fourth connection (24), and - a separation device (6) for separating particles from a gas stream, - wherein the separating device (6) is connected to the fourth port (24) of the radiator venting device (3), - wherein the separating device (6) - has a first opening (61) which is connected to the fourth port (24) of the radiator vent device (2), - has a second opening (62) for connecting to a collection container (7), and - has a third opening (63) for the outlet of an airflow, - wherein the separating device (6) has a cover element (64) which is movably arranged in the third opening (63), wherein the cover element (64) has a first partial body (641) and a second partial body (642) which is rigidly connected to the first partial body (641), wherein the second partial body (642) has a plurality of through-openings (643), and wherein the through-openings (643) each have a polygonal cross-section perpendicular to their longitudinal extent. [2] Filling system according to claim 1, wherein the separation device (6) is designed as a cyclone separator. [3] Filling system according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the radiator venting device (2) has a vacuum generation unit, in particular a vacuum generation unit comprising a Venturi nozzle. [4] Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the radiator venting device (2) has a pressure measuring unit. [5] Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second opening (62) has a thread. [6] Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second connection (22) has a valve, in particular a shut-off valve. [7] Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the third connection (23) has a valve, in particular a venting valve. [8] Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separation device (6) is manufactured by means of a rapid prototyping process, in particular by means of laser sintering. [9] Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating device (6) comprises a plurality of individual parts which are bonded together. [10] Arrangement (10) for vacuum filling a vehicle radiator (3) with coolant (4), comprising - a filling system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, - a vehicle radiator (3) connected to the first connection (21) of the radiator venting device (2), - a coolant reservoir (40) filled with coolant (4) which is connected to the second port (22) of the radiator venting device (2), - a compressed air source (50) for supplying compressed air (5) which is connected to the third port (23) of the radiator venting device (2). [11] Arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the filling system (1) and the coolant reservoir (40) are arranged on a mobile unit.

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