Level control device of a vehicle's fluid container

Abstract

Liquid container (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a filling nozzle; and a level control device (2), wherein the level control device has a level control ladder (5) with at least a first stage (6) and a second stage (7) for controlling the level of liquid in the liquid container (1), wherein the level control ladder (5) is provided on the filling nozzle (4) in the extension thereof and is integrally formed with it; and wherein the level step (5) is designed to be open in the circumferential direction over at least a partial length in the circumferential direction.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a level control device for monitoring the level of coolant in a liquid container of a vehicle or motor vehicle, in particular an electric motor vehicle, a hybrid motor vehicle with an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, or a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine.

[0002] EP 1 203 870 B1 discloses a device for the optical monitoring of the coolant level of an internal combustion engine in a liquid reservoir with a closable filling opening. A separately arranged level indicator is visible inside the liquid reservoir. This indicator consists of two flat marking surfaces and a retaining element that protrudes from the coolant at a specific level. The marking surfaces are geodesically arranged at different heights on the end of the retaining element that protrudes from the coolant. The retaining element and the marking surfaces are manufactured as a single piece, but can also be manufactured as separate parts and subsequently assembled. One marking surface indicates the maximum coolant level and the other the minimum coolant level. The respective coolant level to be displayed is additionally indicated by a label on each marking surface.The lettering was created by cutting holes in the material.

[0003] US Patent 2,703,819 discloses, in combination, a cover for an accumulator cell with an opening and a filling chute surrounding the opening and extending downward from the cover, a reversible cup-shaped element with an opening in the bottom arranged in the filling chute, wherein the element can indicate different electrolyte levels in alternating positions, and means in the chute to support the element in each of its alternating positions.

[0004] German patent application DE 12 52 119 A discloses a tank closure with a transparent viewing element, particularly for coolant tanks for motor vehicles, characterized in that a viewing element is arranged below the tank cap closure. This viewing element consists of a transparent cylinder, the lower part of which tapers to a closed point and the upper part of which projects into a spring element up to a stop against a ridge. The disclosed tank closure has the advantage that the closure does not need to be removed when checking the liquid level, and the viewer can easily see the liquid level.

[0005] US patent application US 2008 / 0022768 A1 discloses a top-readable liquid level indicator mounted above a liquid contained in a liquid container, with a measuring surface attached to the liquid container which penetrates an upper surface of the contained liquid at an inclination to the normal to the liquid surface, such that the points along the measuring surface which penetrate the liquid surface are visible from above the liquid container and represent the liquid level in the liquid container.

[0006] Document US 2005 / 0029297 A1 discloses a measuring cup with volume markings inside the cup that are visible from above while the cup is on a horizontal work surface. The horizontally upward-facing volume markings eliminate the need to lift the measuring cup to eye level to check the fill level or to bend down to view one side of the cup while it is on a horizontal work surface.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved level control device for a vehicle, which is in particular simple and inexpensive to manufacture, as well as positionally stable.

[0008] The problem is solved by means of a liquid container with a level control device and by means of a vehicle with a liquid container with a level control device according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to the invention, a liquid container for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is provided, which has a filler neck and a level control device. The level control device comprises a level control step with at least a first step and a second step for monitoring the liquid level in the liquid container. The level control step is provided on the filler neck as an extension of the filler neck and is integrally formed with it. The level control step is open in the circumferential direction over at least a partial length. Such a level control step can be easily integrated into the liquid container and furthermore has a stable structure.

[0010] An integral or one-piece design of the leveling ladder with the filling nozzle is particularly cost-effective.

[0011] According to a further embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the level indicator is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filler neck or inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the filler neck. The angle can be selected, for example, such that the first and second steps of the level indicator are at least partially, or preferably completely, visible through the filler neck or from the outside, from a predetermined viewing direction of a user through an associated window in a vehicle cover. Accordingly, the level indicator can be individually adapted to the structural conditions in a vehicle into which the liquid container is installed. A particularly simple design is achieved when the longitudinal axis of the level indicator is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the filler neck. Such an orientation of the level indicator is the easiest to implement from a structural point of view.

[0012] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the level control ladder is open over at least a portion of its circumferential length and has an opening angle. The open design of the level control ladder has the advantage that no dead volume (air bubble) can form in the liquid container during filling. Moreover, the opening angle is preferably selected such that the steps of the level control ladder are sufficiently visible and the ladder as a whole has a stable structure. The opening angle is, for example, in the range of 45° to 350° and preferably in the range of 45° to 270°.

[0013] In another embodiment, the liquid container and the level control device are formed as injection-molded parts. The level control device is preferably integrally formed with the liquid container. Alternatively, the level control device can be manufactured as a separate injection-molded component.

[0014] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the vehicle with the fluid reservoir is in particular an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. In these vehicles, unlike conventional vehicles with combustion engines, the fluid reservoir is covered in such a way that a side reading of the fluid level is not possible due to the cover.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, a vehicle cover for covering the liquid container has a window which is arranged on the container wall in the direction of downward viewing of the fill level indicator. Such a window can be relatively small, since the fill level indicator can be easily viewed from above and the liquid level can be determined.

[0016] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0017] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings. Fig. Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a vehicle's fluid reservoir, with two embodiments of the level control device according to the invention shown for comparison; and Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a liquid container not belonging to the scope of the invention.

[0018] Unlike conventional vehicles with combustion engines, the coolant expansion tank in electric vehicles may not be accessible to the customer. This means that the surrounding areas are sealed off by gray-zone covers or the front trunk, so that the coolant expansion tank is not visible after opening the hood, except perhaps for its filler neck. Therefore, the coolant level cannot be easily checked on the side of the tank, as is the case with conventional vehicles with combustion engines, because in electric vehicles this is covered by the corresponding gray-zone cover.

[0019] The coolant level in the coolant expansion tank should ideally be checked and, if necessary, topped up by a vehicle occupant without tools or additional effort if the coolant level is too low. In this case, coolant is added to the coolant expansion tank after bleeding the system. These requirements also apply to customer service in order to minimize the workload for workshops and service costs for the customer.

[0020] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a sectional view through a liquid container 1 according to the invention, more precisely a coolant expansion tank of a motor vehicle. For comparison, two embodiments of the fill level control device 2 according to the invention for monitoring the liquid level in the liquid container 1 are shown.

[0021] The liquid container 1 has a filling nozzle 3 for filling with a liquid, in particular a coolant, such as water or water with at least one additive, for example, an antifreeze additive, a color additive, etc. The filling nozzle 3 has a filling port 4 and, connected to the filling port 4, the first embodiment of the fill level control device 2 according to the invention. The filling port 4 for filling with liquid is always present in a liquid container and can be opened and closed, for example, by an associated flap or a conventional screw-on cap. An example of a screw-on cap is shown below. Fig. 2 shown.

[0022] In the first embodiment of the level control device 2 according to the invention, it is provided on the filling port 4 as an extension of the latter and is formed integrally with it or can be detachably or permanently attached to it as a separate component. For detachable attachment of the level control device 2, it can, for example, be snapped or clipped onto the filling port 3, etc. In the case of permanent attachment, the level control device 2 can, for example, be glued to the filling port 3, etc., to name only a few examples of attachment. The invention is not limited to the aforementioned examples of attachment for detachable or permanent attachment of the level control device 2 to the filling port 3.

[0023] According to the invention, the level control device 2 is further designed as a level control ladder 5. The level control ladder 5 has a first or upper step 6 for a first, in particular maximum, level of the liquid container 1 and a second or lower step 7 for a second, in particular minimum, level of the liquid container 1.

[0024] The level control ladder 5 can be closed or tubular along its entire length or a portion thereof in the circumferential direction (not shown). The level control ladder 5 can, for example, have a round and / or square cross-section along its longitudinal axis 8. Likewise, the level control ladder 5 can be, as in the embodiment shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the filling level staircase 5 can also be open in the circumferential direction, for example, semicircular or semi-circular with an opening angle of β = 180°, etc. The opening angle β of the filling level staircase 5, which is open in the circumferential direction at least over a partial length, is preferably selected such that the filling level staircase 5 has sufficiently visible steps and preferably sufficient stability so that it cannot be unintentionally bent or broken when liquid is poured into the liquid container 1. The filling level staircase 5, which is open in the circumferential direction at least over a partial length, can have an opening angle β of, for example, between 45° and 90°, between 45° and 180°, between 45° and 270°, or between 45° and 350°.

[0025] The level control device 2 has the advantage that the level ladder 5 can be easily viewed at any time through the existing filling port 4 of the liquid container 1 as soon as it is opened, e.g. by folding up the closing flap of the filling port 4 or unscrewing the closing cap of the filling port 4.

[0026] The fill level ladder 5 can run coaxially to the longitudinal axis 9 of the filling nozzle 4, as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is shown, or for example be inclined at an angle α to the longitudinal axis 9 of the filling nozzle 4, as shown in Fig. As indicated in 1, this depends, for example, on the user's viewing direction into the filling opening 4 when checking the fill level using the level indicator 5. The angle α of the longitudinal axis 8 of the level indicator 5 is preferably selected such that the level indicator 5 is visible to a user as completely as possible, or at least for the most part, through the filling opening 4 of the liquid container 1.

[0027] The level control device 2 has the advantage that the level indicator 5 can be integrated directly into the filling nozzle 4 very easily and cost-effectively. Furthermore, it also has a more compact design and therefore greater stability than the level indicator previously described with reference to EP 1 203 870 B1, which consists of two flat marking surfaces and a retaining element that must be precisely positioned to reliably determine the level.

[0028] At the in Fig. In the second embodiment of the level control device 2 according to the invention, shown in Figure 1, the level control device is integrated into the container wall 10, more precisely into the outer wall, of the liquid container 1 and is preferably formed within it. The level control device 2 is also designed as a level control ladder 5. In this case, only an additional, relatively small window in the cover, in particular the previously described gray cover of the vehicle, is required to read the level control ladder 5 in the container wall 10 of the liquid container 1. The filler neck 4 of the liquid container 1, in particular the coolant expansion tank, with its associated closure flap or screw-on cap, does not need to be opened, but can remain closed, in order to determine the liquid level in the liquid container 1 using the level control ladder 5.The level control ladder 5 according to the second embodiment, like the level control ladder 5 in the first embodiment of the invention, has a first or upper step 6 for a first, in particular maximum, fill level of the liquid container 1 and a second or lower step 7 for a second, in particular minimum, fill level of the liquid container 1. The level control ladder 5 can also be closed or tubular along its entire length or a partial length in the circumferential direction (not shown). The level control ladder 5 can, for example, have a round and / or square cross-section along its longitudinal axis 8. Likewise, the level control ladder 5, like the level control ladder 5 in the first embodiment, can be open in the circumferential direction, for example, semicircular or semi-circular with an opening angle of β = 180°, etc.

[0029] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a liquid container 1, which is not part of the scope of the present invention. The level control device 2 with its level control ladder 5 formed in the container wall 10 of the liquid container 1 is functionally modeled on the level control device 2 and its level control ladder 5 according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 2. Fig. 1 is shown.

[0030] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the opening angle β of the fill level ladder 5, which is open at least over a partial length in the circumferential direction, is preferably selected such that the fill level ladder 5 is sufficiently visible from the outside, in particular through an associated window in a vehicle cover, especially a gray cover. Furthermore, the container wall 10 of the liquid container 1 is made of a transparent material, at least in the area of ​​the liquid control device 2 and more precisely of the fill level ladder 5, so that a user can easily determine whether the liquid in the liquid container 1 has reached, for example, the first or upper level 6 or instead already the second or lower level 7. In particular, a coolant, for example, which is additionally colored, can be easily detected by a user through the transparent area of ​​the fill level ladder 5 on the outer wall 10 of the container. Fig. The liquid container 1 shown in Figure 1 according to the invention can also be made of an opaque material with its filling nozzle 4 and its liquid control device 2.

[0031] The level control ladder 5 of the in Fig. The liquid container 1 shown in Figure 2 can be open in the circumferential direction, at least over a partial length, and have an opening angle β of, for example, between 45° and 90°, between 45° and 180°, between 45° and 270°, or between 45° and 350°, as shown in Figure 2. Fig. 2 is shown.

[0032] When the level falls below the second or lower level 7 of the integrated level ladder 5 in the filling nozzle 4 in Fig. 1 or on the container wall 10 of the liquid container 1 according to the invention Fig. 1 and of the non-inventive liquid container 1 in Fig. Stage 2 requires refilling with fluid, such as coolant. However, upon reaching the first or upper stage 6, fluid reservoir 1 is completely full and requires no further refilling.

[0033] Because the fill level ladder 5 is open at least over a portion of its length and, in particular, along its entire length, the entire volume of the liquid container 1 can be used during the filling process. If the fill level ladder 5 is designed to run the entire length or is tubular, and the inlet opening 4 is located low in the container volume, an unusable air bubble forms during the filling process, resulting in dead volume. The fill level ladder 5 integrated into the container wall 10 in the liquid container 1 not according to the invention... Fig. 2 can be like the level ladder 5 according to the embodiment of the invention in Fig. 1 with its steps 6, 7 and their orientation individually adapted or aligned to the user's line of sight during level control. In Fig. 2, the longitudinal axis 8 of the leveling ladder 5 is, for example, parallel to the longitudinal axis 9 of the filling nozzle 4. Likewise, in Fig. 2 the longitudinal axis 8 of the level ladder 5 may also be inclined to the longitudinal axis 9 of the filling nozzle 4, similar to the longitudinal axis 8 of the level ladder 5 inclined by the angle α of the embodiment of the invention in Fig. 1.

[0034] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the liquid container 1 shown as an example, the most cost-effective and pressure-resistant container shape, and therefore the one to be sought, is a sphere, more precisely a sphere consisting of two hemispheres 11, 12. The main demolding direction is normally the longitudinal axis 9 of the filling nozzle 4. The demolding of the fill level ramp 5 of the in Fig. The operation of the liquid container 1 shown in the second embodiment is carried out using the basically necessary tool halves. No additional slides are required in the tool.

[0035] The fill level marking, and in particular a minimum or maximum marking of the first or second step 6, 7 of the fill level ladder 5, is preferably integrated into the fill level ladder 5 and is also represented, for example, in the demolding direction without additional effort or associated additional costs. The fill level marking on the step 6, 7 can be, for example, painted, printed, embossed, etched, laser-engraved, or created as a cutout, to name just a few examples of how to produce the fill level marking.

[0036] For package-related free-form liquid containers that are not spherical or not purely spherical, like the liquid containers 1 in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the division of the half-shells is appropriately rotated, for example by 90 degrees. Additional stiffening ribs can be molded in. The orientation of the longitudinal axis 8 and dimensioning of the previously described fill level ladder 5 according to the in Fig. 1 embodiment of the present invention as well as in the embodiment shown in Fig. The liquid container 1 shown in Figure 2, which is not according to the invention, can be suitably adapted to the position of the reinforcing ribs of the liquid container such that the liquid level can be determined by means of the level control device 2 and its level step 5 through the filling nozzle 4 in the embodiment according to the present invention and by means of the level control device 2 and its level step 5 on the container wall 10 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2. Fig. 2 shown non-inventional liquid container 1 is possible.

[0037] The level ladder 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention and also in the one described in Fig. The liquid container 1 shown in the 2, which is not according to the invention, allows level control from above without parallax error. Reference symbol list 1 liquid container 2 Level control device 3 Filling nozzle device 4 filling ports 5 Level Steps 6 first stage 7 second stage 8 Longitudinal axis of the level ladder 9 Longitudinal axis of the filler neck 10 Container wall 11, 12 half-shells α Inclination angle of the longitudinal axis of the leveling ladder to the longitudinal axis of the filling nozzle β Opening angle of the level ladder

Claims

[1] Liquid container (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a filling nozzle; and a level control device (2), wherein the level control device has a level control ladder (5) with at least a first stage (6) and a second stage (7) for controlling the level of liquid in the liquid container (1), wherein the level control ladder (5) is provided on the filling nozzle (4) in the extension thereof and is integrally formed with it; and wherein the level step (5) is designed to be open in the circumferential direction over at least a partial length in the circumferential direction. [2] Liquid container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis (8) of the fill level ladder (5) is parallel to the longitudinal axis (9) of the filling nozzle (4) or inclined at an angle (α) to the longitudinal axis (9) of the filling nozzle (4), wherein the angle (α) is in particular selected such that the first and second steps (6, 7) of the fill level ladder (5) are at least partially or preferably completely visible through the filling nozzle (4) or from the outside through a predetermined viewing direction of a user, in particular a predetermined viewing direction of the user through an associated window in a vehicle cover. [3] Liquid container (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the fill level ladder (5) which is open over at least a partial length in the circumferential direction has an opening angle (β) in a range of 45° to 350° and preferably an opening angle (β) in a range of 45° to 270°. [4] Liquid container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid container (1) and the level control device (2) are formed as an injection molded part, wherein the level control device (2) is preferably formed integrally with the liquid container (1). [5] Vehicle with a liquid container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the vehicle is in particular a motor vehicle and preferably an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. [6] Vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the vehicle is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle and has a cover for covering the liquid container (1), wherein the cover has a window which is arranged on the container wall (10) of the liquid container (1) in the direction of view of the fill level ladder (5).

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