Arrangement and method for cleaning a vent hose device, as well as a vehicle

Abstract

Arrangement (20) for cleaning a vent hose device (20) connected to a housing of a drive train component (2; 4; 7; 10) of a vehicle (1), wherein the drive train component (2; 4; 7; 10) comprises a housing containing one or more parts to be lubricated and a lubricant, wherein the arrangement comprises a source of compressed air (140; 91) and a vent hose device (22) in fluid communication with an interior of the housing, characterized in that the vent hose device (22) comprises at least one flow guide device (24) configured to bring into a first operating position (I) or into a second operating position (II), wherein - in the first operating position (I) the flow guide device (24) is designed to establish a fluid connection between the interior of the housing and the ambient air; and - in the second operating position (II) the flow guide device (24) is designed to establish a fluid connection between the source of compressed air (140; 91) and the ambient air and to block the flow of compressed air from the source of compressed air (140; 91) to the interior of the housing.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement for cleaning a vent hose device connected to a housing of a powertrain component of a vehicle, a vehicle comprising the arrangement and a method for cleaning a vent hose device connected to a powertrain component of a vehicle as claimed in the attached claims. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and buses comprise a powertrain, which may include, for example, an internal combustion engine, a clutch, a gearbox, a driveshaft, an axle or intermediate gearbox, a drive axle or axles, which typically include or consist of at least one rear axle, and may include planetary gears, differentials, and axle drive components such as the vehicle's drive wheels. Many of these powertrain components may include a housing that at least partially encloses one or more parts requiring lubrication and a lubricant such as lubricating oil or grease. Due to temperature fluctuations during vehicle operation, the pressure within the housing changes accordingly. If no action is taken to address pressure increases, there is a risk that the lubricating oil or grease will penetrate the seals in the housing in an uncontrolled manner.Therefore, the housing requires a solution for dealing with pressure fluctuations in the container.

[0003] A common solution for dealing with pressure increases is the installation of a venting system for the enclosure, which includes a vent hose. This allows pressure to be released from the enclosure, for example, when the operating temperature rises. However, in harsh environments, such as dusty and / or wet conditions, the vent hose can become clogged or blocked. Dust can obstruct the vent hose, or water can ingress into it, thereby impairing the venting system's effectiveness.

[0004] Blockage of the vent hose can be prevented, for example, by using filter assemblies. However, such filter assemblies are difficult to install in the limited space available for powertrain components and require regular monitoring and replacement. Furthermore, extensive filter mounting assemblies increase the vehicle's weight and cost.

[0005] US 2013 O 139 911 A1 discloses, as the closest prior art, an alternative solution for preventing the blockage of an exhaust hose and discloses a venting system for an axle of a heavy-duty vehicle, comprising a check valve and an exhaust hose connected to the check valve. The check valve is in fluid communication with the axle interior. The exhaust hose has a first end mounted on the check valve and a second end open to the atmosphere and in fluid communication with the check valve. The venting system is selectively designed to discharge air from the axle interior to the atmosphere to eliminate pressure increases within the axle. The hose is mounted vertically downwards, allowing moisture and / or other contaminants in the hose to drain away.Thus, the hose's alignment prevents contaminants from reaching the check valve and consequently the shaft. However, the exhaust hose and its alignment require regular inspection and monitoring, and blockage of the exhaust hose, for example in a dusty environment, cannot be effectively prevented.

[0006] DE 199 39 357 A1 discloses interconnected venting devices, wherein a vent to the environment is located at a highest point of a lubricant movement.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to prevent blockages in vent hoses within powertrain component venting systems and to keep these hoses free of dust and accumulated water. Similarly, if a vent hose does become blocked, it must be easily cleaned. At the same time, it is desirable to reduce the number of components and avoid unnecessarily increasing the weight of the powertrain components. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning arrangement and a method for cleaning a venting hose device connected to a housing of a drive train component, wherein the cleaning arrangement is effective, simple and space-saving, and minimizes the number of service appointments for venting systems.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning arrangement that requires a minimal amount of components.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning arrangement that is cost-effective and robust.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement and / or a method that automatically and regularly cleans the venting hose device.

[0012] The preceding problems are fulfilled by an arrangement for cleaning a vent hose device according to the present invention. The vent hose device is connected to a housing of a powertrain component of a vehicle, and the powertrain component comprises a housing containing one or more parts to be lubricated and a lubricant. The arrangement includes a source of compressed air and a vent hose device, that is, a vent hose device to be cleaned, in fluid communication with the interior of the housing. The vent hose device comprises at least one flow guide device configured to be moved into a first operating position (I) or a second operating position (II). In the first operating position (I), the flow guide device is configured to establish a fluid connection between the interior of the housing and the ambient air.Accordingly, the flow guide device is designed to prevent fluid communication between the compressed air source and the interior of the housing and the ambient air. In the second operating position (II), the flow guide device is designed to establish fluid communication between the compressed air source and the ambient air and to block the flow of compressed air from the compressed air source to the interior of the housing in order to clean at least part of the vent hose assembly.

[0013] The vent hose device can include at least one vent hose connected to the flow guide device. Using at least one vent hose allows for easy adjustment of the distance between an air outlet of the vent hose device and the interior of the housing, thus improving the flexibility of the device's structure.

[0014] The flow guide device can be directly connected to the drivetrain component using a connecting element. This minimizes the number of components and connections between different hoses or lines, resulting in a robust and simple arrangement.

[0015] Alternatively, the flow guide device can be indirectly connected to the drivetrain component by placing a vent hose between the drivetrain component housing and the flow guide device. This allows the distance between the inside of the housing and the flow guide device to be increased as desired.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the flow control device is a T-nipple comprising a check valve. The check valve can easily control the flow direction of compressed air. A robust design can also be provided for the flow control device.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the flow control device is a three-way valve. The three-way valve can be mechanically or electrically controlled. A three-way valve allows for precise control of the arrangement while effectively protecting the interior of the housing from contamination.

[0018] The compressed air source can be an outlet from a vehicle's braking system. This allows the use of compressed air that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. By utilizing this excess air, a cleaning system can be achieved that is economical, simple, and space-saving. The system also requires a minimal number of components.

[0019] The source of compressed air can alternatively or additionally be a compressed air reservoir. The reservoir can be any container in the vehicle intended for use in the arrangement for cleaning the vent hose device, or it can be a container intended for use in any pneumatic system of the vehicle, such as the vehicle's braking system. In this way, clean compressed air can be supplied for cleaning the vent hose, and the flow of compressed air can be controlled and supplied at desired intervals and in desired quantities. The drivetrain component comprising the housing is accordingly an axle, preferably a rear axle.The arrangement for cleaning a vent hose device is particularly suitable for a vehicle's rear axle, as the compressed air source can be located near the rear axle, for example, from the brake outlet, in a simple and economical manner. The powertrain component comprising the housing can, in turn, be an internal combustion engine, or the powertrain component comprising the housing can be a transmission.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising the arrangement as described above.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a method for cleaning a vent hose device connected to a drive train component. The previously described problems are also fulfilled by the method. The drive train component comprises a housing containing one or more parts to be lubricated and a lubricant. The vent hose device is in fluid communication with an interior of the housing and includes a flow guide device. The method comprises the steps of: - Venting the interior of the housing by bringing the flow guide device into a first operating position (I), in which the flow guide device establishes a fluid connection between the interior of the housing and the ambient air; and - Cleaning the vent hose device by bringing the flow guide device into a second operating position (II) in which the flow guide device establishes a fluid connection between the compressed air source and the ambient air and blocks the flow of compressed air from the compressed air source to the interior of the housing.

[0022] Accordingly, the flow guide device prevents fluid communication between the compressed air source and the interior of the housing in the first operating position.

[0023] In this method, the compressed air source can be an outlet of a vehicle's brake system. As previously described, this allows the use of compressed air that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. By utilizing this excess air, a cleaning arrangement can be achieved that is economical, simple, and space-saving. A minimal number of components are also required for the system. According to one aspect, the method involves moving the flow guide device into the second position when the vehicle's brake system is released. This can be accomplished by electrically controlling the flow guide device. Alternatively, the flow guide device includes a check valve that opens automatically when the pressure generated by the compressed air flow exceeds the mechanical load acting on the check valve, thus opening the valve.Thus, a flow guide device with a simple structure can be achieved.

[0024] The process can be carried out in conjunction with many powertrain components. From one perspective, the powertrain component encompasses the housing of an axle. From another perspective, the powertrain component encompasses the housing of an internal combustion engine.

[0025] Further tasks and advantages are described in more detail in the following comprehensive description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a heavy-duty vehicle comprising a drive train. Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a drive train comprising a component to be vented with a vent hose device. Fig. Figures 3a-3c show schematic examples of different designs for the vent hose device. Fig. Figures 4a-4b show the vent hose device in a first and second operating position. Fig. Figure 5 shows a rear axle encompassing a vent hose. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Powertrain components that include a housing containing lubricated parts and a lubricant, such as an internal combustion engine, a transmission, or axles including planetary gears, require a solution for managing pressure fluctuations within the component housing. A common solution is to vent the component through a nipple and a vent hose. However, as described in the prior art section, the vent hose can become clogged or blocked in a dusty and / or humid environment, thereby preventing or impairing the venting system's effectiveness.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a vehicle 1 and Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a chassis 8 of the vehicle comprising the drivetrain components. The vehicle 1 includes an internal combustion engine 2 to which a compressor 12 is connected to supply compressed air for the vehicle's brake system 14. The brake system 14 includes one or more reservoirs 140 from which compressed air is supplied to brakes 9 in conjunction with drive wheels 6 or brakes 19 in conjunction with the vehicle's front wheels 16. The brakes 9 and 19 include a corresponding outlet 91 through which excess air is released when the brakes are released. The internal combustion engine 2 is further connected to a transmission 4 via a clutch (not shown). The transmission 4 is connected to the pair of drive wheels 6 of the vehicle 1 via a driveshaft 5 and an axle drive 7. The drive wheels 6 are mounted on a rear axle 10, and the front wheels are suspended from a front axle 11.Vehicle 1 can be a heavy-duty vehicle, for example a truck or a bus.

[0028] In the present disclosure, a vent hose device is connected to a housing of a drivetrain component for venting the interior of the component when pressure fluctuations occur. The drivetrain component comprises a housing containing one or more parts to be lubricated and a lubricant, and can be, for example, the internal combustion engine 2, the transmission 4, the axle drive 7, or the rear axle 10 as shown in Fig. 2 should be shown. Fig. Figure 2 shows an example of components in a drivetrain; however, the vehicle can include multiple pairs of drive wheels, for example, two pairs of drive wheels, and the vehicle can thus include multiple rear axles, such as two rear axles. In the example of Fig. 2 is a vent hose device 22 connected to a rear axle 10 of the vehicle.

[0029] The venting hose device 22 in the present disclosure comprises a flow guide device 24 as schematically shown in Fig. Figure 2 shows the vent hose device 22. The vent hose device typically includes a terminal hose 26 connected to the flow guide device, allowing it to direct air from the interior of the component to the ambient air. The vent hose provides an outlet for air at a desired distance from the interior of the housing, thus protecting the interior from the ingress of dirt and moisture. The vent hose device can therefore include at least one vent hose connected to the flow guide device. This improves the flexibility of the arrangement and allows it to be positioned as desired within a vehicle. The vent hose can be made of a plastic material. For example, the plastic material can be polyvinyl chloride (PVC); any suitable material can be used.The hose material can be transparent, making it easy to see if the vent hose has any blocked sections. The diameter of the vent hose is adapted to the component being vented and can range from, for example, 5 mm to 25 mm, but is not limited to this range.

[0030] The arrangement for cleaning the vent hose assembly comprises the vent hose assembly and a compressed air source that supplies compressed air for blowing out at least part of the vent hose assembly, thereby removing dirt and moisture that clog the assembly and thus cleaning it. The number of vent hoses connected to the flow guide assembly depends on the desired structure of the vent hose assembly and, for example, how it is attached to the housing of the drivetrain component and positioned relative to a compressed air source.

[0031] The vent hose assembly can be connected directly or indirectly to the housing of the drivetrain component. "Directly connected" means that the flow guide is directly connected to the housing and attached to the drivetrain component by a connecting element, which can be any suitable mechanical coupling such as a bayonet coupling or any quick-release coupling. A vent hose can then be connected downstream of the flow guide to remove air from the housing, allowing air to flow from inside the housing to the surrounding air. Fig. Figure 3a schematically shows an example of an arrangement 20 for cleaning a vent hose device, in which a flow guide 24 is directly connected to a rear axle 10. The vent hose device 22 also preferably includes a vent hose 26, which is connected to the flow guide to direct air from or to the interior of the rear axle according to the pressure in the rear axle 10. A compressed air source 91 is connected to the flow guide by a line 28. In some embodiments, the line 28 can be omitted and the flow guide can be directly connected to the compressed air source. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the vent hose device can consist of the flow guide, which can be dimensioned to fit into the desired position. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3a, the flow guide 24 is sized to fit into the desired position. Fig. In the ventilation hose device shown in 3a, the ventilation hose 26 may, for example, be blocked by dust, which must be removed.

[0032] The compressed air source could be, for example, an outlet from the vehicle's brakes. This allows for the utilization of excess compressed air that would normally be released into the atmosphere, providing an energy-efficient system that requires a minimal number of new components. Alternatively, the compressed air source could be any compressed air pressure vessel within the vehicle, and it could be specifically designated for this system. Similarly, the source could be a pressure vessel within the vehicle's braking system.

[0033] The fact that the vent hose device is indirectly connected to the housing of the drive train component means that a vent hose is arranged between the housing and the flow guide device. Fig. Figure 3b schematically shows an example of an arrangement 20 for cleaning a vent hose device, in which a flow guide device 24 is connected to the housing of a rear axle 10 via a vent hose 27. The vent hose 27 is arranged between the rear axle and the flow guide device 24 and is connected to the flow guide device to direct air to or from the interior of the rear axle 10 according to the pressure in the rear axle 10. A compressed air source 91 is connected to the flow guide device via a line 28. In the embodiment of Fig. 3b the flow guide device 24 is located on the outermost side and can therefore be clogged, for example, by dust, which must be removed.

[0034] Accordingly, the vent hose device 22 comprises at least two vent hoses 26 and 27 as shown in Fig. Figure 3c represents a further embodiment of an arrangement 20 for cleaning a vent hose device 22. In the illustrated embodiment, a vent hose 27, hereinafter referred to as the second vent hose, is arranged between the housing of the rear axle 10 and the flow guide device 24. The flow guide device is also connected to a vent hose 26, which is referred to here as the first vent hose. In the embodiment shown in Fig. In the vent hose device shown in Figure 3c, the vent hose 26 may, for example, be clogged with dust, which must be removed. Because at least two vent hoses are present in the vent hose device, parts of the device can be easily replaced if damaged. The device's design is also flexible.

[0035] In an indirect connection, the vent hose or the second vent hose can be connected to the housing such that the hose extends into the interior of the housing through an opening and is positioned between the housing and the flow guide. Alternatively, the second vent hose can be connected to the housing via a connecting means, which may be, for example, a nipple connection or any other means, provided that the interior of the housing can come into contact with the ambient air through the vent hose. The flow guide includes means for controlling the direction of an airflow within the flow guide.

[0036] In the cleaning arrangement of the present invention, care must be taken to ensure that no dust, moisture, or dirt can enter the housing. Compressed air must also be prevented from entering the housing. For this reason, the flow guide device must be equipped with a function for controlling the direction of the airflow(s). Essentially, the flow guide device is designed to be moved into two different positions, that is, a first or second operating position, whereby air can flow in different directions. The different flow directions can be achieved, for example, by arranging one or more check valves in the flow guide device or, for example, by electrically controlling the flow guide device.The flow control device can, for example, be a nipple, preferably a T-nipple, comprising one or more check valves, which may be spring-loaded and / or include pivoting or tilting means, thereby allowing the direction of airflow to be shaped in a desired manner. "Nipple" is understood to mean a connector comprising a short piece of tubing that can be coupled to a vent hose, a line, and / or directly to the housing of a powertrain component. Alternatively, the flow control device can be an electric two-way or three-way valve, or it can be a mechanical three-way rotary check valve or a three-way tilting check valve, and the pivoting or tilting means in the valves can be spring-loaded. Alternatively, the pivoting or tilting means in the valves can be electrically controlled.To open the valve so that compressed air can flow into the flow guide device, the pressure generated by the airflow must be greater than the spring force or the mechanical force that prevents the pivoting or tilting movement of the check valve in the closed position.

[0037] According to the present invention, in the first operating position, which is in Fig. As shown in Figure 4a, the flow guide 24 of the vent hose device 22 is designed to establish a fluid connection between the interior of the housing, which in the illustrated example is a housing of a rear axle 10, and the ambient air via a first vent hose 26 and a second vent hose 27, and to prevent a fluid connection between the compressed air source 91 and the interior of the housing. Thus, the interior of the housing can be vented, and air can flow into or out of the housing through the vent hose device, so that air is removed from the interior of the housing when the pressure inside the housing is increased, or air can flow into the interior of the housing when the pressure inside the housing is decreased. In the first operating position (I), no compressed air is supplied to the vent hose device, and therefore no compressed air flows through the flow guide.Likewise, the flow of ambient air to the compressed air source is prevented by the use of a check valve 29, which opens when the flow pressure is higher than the mechanical force that keeps the check valve closed.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the present invention, in the Fig. In the second operating position (II) shown in Figure 4b, the flow guide device is designed to establish a fluid connection between the compressed air source 91 and the ambient air. This means that compressed air at high pressure can flow through the flow guide device 24 and at least one vent hose, i.e., the first vent hose 26, to the outside into the ambient air. Simultaneously, the flow of compressed air to the interior of the housing 10 is blocked by the check valve 29, so that no dust, moisture, or dirt can penetrate the interior of the housing. In the illustrated example, the check valve 29 includes a pivoting element 30, which is moved from the first position to the second position by the mechanical force generated by the compressed air.In this way, compressed air can be supplied through the vent hose 26 and thus remove dust and moisture from at least part of the vent hose assembly, i.e., the first vent hose 26 and at least part of the flow guide device 24, thereby cleaning at least part of the vent hose assembly 22. As explained above, the source of compressed air can be the brake outlet; however, it can also be any compressed air reservoir. The reservoir is attached to the vehicle accordingly and is part of the compressed air system in the vehicle. Preferably, the reservoir is part of the vehicle's brake system 14 as shown in [reference]. Fig. Figure 2 shows that the brake system can include one or more compressed air reservoirs 140. If the compressed air source is the brake outlet 91, the flow guide 22 is in the second operating position when the vehicle 1's brake device 9 is released. This allows excess air to be used and requires only a minimal number of components for the cleaning arrangement.

[0039] Fig. Figure 5 shows a rear axle 10 comprising a vent hose 56. A vent hose device 22 as in relation to Fig. As described in 3a-3c, the vent hose 56 can be replaced and an arrangement as described in relation to Fig. 4a and Fig. The item described in 4b can be used to clean the vent hose device. As shown in section 4b. Fig.As can be seen in Figure 5, the vent hose device can be arranged as close as possible to position 58, where the wheel is mounted on the axle. Thus, the vent hose device is located near the brake outlet, and a compact arrangement for cleaning the vent hose device can be provided.

[0040] The components and features described above can be combined between different described embodiments within the scope of the invention.

Claims

[1] Arrangement (20) for cleaning a vent hose device (20) connected to a housing of a powertrain component (2; 4; 7; 10) of a vehicle (1), wherein the powertrain component (2; 4; 7; 10) comprises a housing containing one or more parts to be lubricated and a lubricant, wherein the arrangement comprises a source of compressed air (140; 91) and a vent hose device (22) in fluid communication with an interior of the housing, characterized by , that the vent hose device (22) comprises at least one flow guide device (24) designed to be brought into a first operating position (I) or into a second operating position (II), wherein - in the first operating position (I) the flow guide device (24) is designed to establish a fluid connection between the interior of the housing and the ambient air; and - in the second operating position (II) the flow guide device (24) is designed to establish a fluid connection between the source of compressed air (140; 91) and the ambient air and to block the flow of compressed air from the source of compressed air (140; 91) to the interior of the housing. [2] Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the vent hose device (22) comprises at least one vent hose (26) connected to the flow guide device (24). [3] Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow guide device (24) is directly connected to the housing of the drive train component (2; 4; 7; 10) by means of a connecting means. [4] Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow guide device (24) is indirectly connected to the drive train component (2; 4; 7; 10) by arranging a vent hose (27) between the housing of the drive train component and the flow guide device (24). [5] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow guide device (24) is a T-nipple comprising a check valve (29). [6] Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flow guide device (24) is a three-way valve. [7] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the source of compressed air is an outlet (91) of a braking device of the vehicle (9; 19). [8] Arrangement according to one of claims 1-6, wherein the source of compressed air is a pressure vessel (140) for compressed air. [9] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive train component comprising the housing is an axle, preferably a rear axle (10), an internal combustion engine (2) or a transmission (4). [10] Vehicle (1) comprising the arrangement according to any one of claims 1-9. [11] Method for cleaning a vent hose device (22) connected to a powertrain component (2; 4; 7; 10) of a vehicle (1), wherein the powertrain component (2; 4; 7; 10) comprises a housing containing one or more parts to be lubricated and a lubricant, wherein the vent hose device (22) is in fluid communication with an interior of the housing and comprises a flow guide device (24), wherein the method comprises the steps of: - Venting the interior of the housing by bringing the flow guide device (24) into a first operating position (I), in which the flow guide device (24) establishes a fluid connection between the interior of the housing and the ambient air; and - Cleaning the vent hose device by bringing the flow guide device (24) into a second operating position (II) in which the flow guide device (24) establishes a fluid connection between the source of compressed air (140; 91) and the ambient air and blocks the flow of compressed air from the source (140; 91) of compressed air to the interior of the housing. [12] Method according to claim 11, wherein the method comprises bringing the flow guide device (24) into the second operating position when the brake device (9; 19) of the vehicle (1) is released.

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