Filling device for a vehicle's operating fluid on a drawer

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling device 11 for a vehicle 2, comprising a filling opening 12 for an operating fluid of the vehicle 2 for filling a container 14 of the vehicle 2. The object of the invention is to provide a filling device 11 for operating fluids that can be easily accessed by a user and does not require opening the entire engine hood of the vehicle 2. To achieve this object, the invention is characterized in that the filling device 11 is arranged on a pull-out drawer 1, wherein the drawer 1 can be arranged on the vehicle 2 for transporting items, and the filling opening 12 is only accessible when the drawer 1 is at least partially extended.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a filling device for an operating fluid of a vehicle arranged on a pull-out drawer of the vehicle, wherein the drawer is suitable for transporting objects.

[0002] Modern electric vehicles often offer additional cargo space under the hood (in the front of the vehicle) in the area of ​​the former engine compartment. This space provides additional storage space for various items, such as luggage. This space is referred to as the "front trunk" and, derived from this, the "frunk." Very often, it is an open-topped plastic container or tray that can be accessed by opening the entire hood. To reach this trunk and stow items in the plastic container, the vehicle user must bend over the front of the vehicle, the grille, the bumper, or the like, which can be less than ergonomic and lead to dirty clothes.There are solutions where the vehicle's grille can be opened upwards along with the hood, allowing access to the frunk from the front of the vehicle, not just from above. However, even in these cases, the entire hood must be opened.

[0003] Furthermore, the former engine compartment (frunk) also houses the windshield washer reservoir or other fluid containers, which can be filled with the respective operating fluids when the hood is fully opened.

[0004] Although alternative solutions for filling the containers are known from the prior art, such as US 972 5074 B2 or CA 204 3727 A1, which do not require opening the engine hood for filling, these solutions have other disadvantages, so that the filling openings of the containers are generally still arranged under the engine hood.

[0005] In order to optimise the accessibility of the front storage space in vehicles with a high bonnet, or of the conventional trunk in the rear area of ​​a vehicle with a high loading sill, drawers are known from the state of the art, which can be arranged, for example, behind the front grille and below the bonnet, or in the rear area below the loading area of ​​a pick-up.

[0006] To open the drawer, it can be pulled forward, along with the grille, in the direction of travel of the vehicle. This eliminates the need for the user to open the entire hood to access the drawer and its contents. At the rear, the drawer can be pulled out, for example, along with part of the rear bumper or part of the loading area, against the direction of travel.

[0007] However, filling the vehicle's various reservoirs with operating fluids still requires opening the entire hood. This is considered a disadvantage.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a filling device for operating fluids that can be easily reached by a user and does not require opening the entire engine hood.

[0009] This object is achieved by the subject matter and method of the independent claims. Further, particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the respective subclaims.

[0010] It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with each other in any technically reasonable way (even across category boundaries, for example, between methods and devices) and demonstrate further embodiments of the invention. The description further characterizes and specifies the invention, particularly in conjunction with the figures.

[0011] It should also be noted that a conjunction "and / or" used herein between two features and linking them together is always to be interpreted in such a way that in a first embodiment of the subject matter according to the invention only the first feature can be present, in a second embodiment only the second feature can be present and in a third embodiment both the first and the second feature can be present.

[0012] A filling device according to the invention for a vehicle comprises a filling opening for an operating fluid of the vehicle for filling a container of the vehicle and is characterized in that the filling device is arranged on a pull-out drawer, wherein the drawer can be arranged on the vehicle for transporting objects, and the filling opening is only accessible in an at least partially pulled-out state of the drawer.

[0013] The vehicle's drawer is used to store and transport items such as luggage. The drawer is positioned within the vehicle in such a way that it can be used in the trunk, underneath a loading area, in the frunk, or in the hollow spaces in the fenders.

[0014] The drawer is preferably pulled out or pushed in linearly across the outer shell of the vehicle, but can also be mounted so that it can rotate and / or pivot, and can follow a combination of movements when pulling out and pushing in. This depends largely on the shape of the space available in the vehicle for the drawer. The drawer can be pulled out in the direction of travel of the vehicle and pushed in against the direction of travel, particularly if the drawer is located in the front area of ​​the vehicle in the frunk and behind the radiator grille. In this case, it is suitable, for example, for the drawer to be pulled out together with a component of the vehicle such as the radiator grille.

[0015] The drawer can also be pulled out against the direction of travel of the vehicle and pushed in in the direction of travel, especially if the drawer is located in the rear area of ​​the vehicle.

[0016] The drawer can also be pulled out and pushed in transversely to the direction of travel, especially if the drawer is to be pulled out from the side of the vehicle, as may be the case, for example, if the drawer is arranged in a fender of the vehicle.

[0017] The operating fluid can be any fluid used to operate the vehicle, such as water, windshield washer fluid, coolant, oil, engine oil, hydraulic oil, urea, gasoline or diesel, or the like. The vehicle's container filled by the filling device is then a windshield washer fluid reservoir, oil reservoir, oil expansion tank, water cooler, coolant expansion tank, oil pan, fuel tank, or the like.

[0018] Since different operating fluids can be supplied to the vehicle via such a filling device, it can be advantageous if several filling devices and / or several filling openings are provided in one filling device for the different operating fluids.

[0019] The filler opening is positioned by the filler device in such a way that it is only accessible when the drawer is at least partially pulled out of the vehicle. This at least partially pulled out position of the drawer refers to the state of the drawer when installed in the vehicle. Thus, the drawer must be at least partially pulled out to access the filler opening. By arranging the filler device on the drawer, it is no longer necessary to open the entire hood to refill the respective operating fluid; instead, it is sufficient if the drawer is pulled out at least a little.

[0020] It is also conceivable for the filling device to be positioned on the drawer in such a way that it is only accessible when the drawer is fully extended. For example, if the filling device is located on the back or rear side of the drawer.

[0021] The connection between the filling device and the container can be established, for example, using a flexible hose. This allows the filling device to move along with the drawer relative to the rest of the vehicle when the drawer is pulled out, and the flexible hose compensates for the relative movement between the filling device and the container fixed in the vehicle. Such a flexible hose can be made of a flexible material such as rubber, for example.

[0022] Advantageous embodiments and variants of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description. The features listed individually in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in any technically reasonable manner, as well as with the features explained in more detail in the following description, and represent other advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0023] In one embodiment of the filling device, the operating fluid is windshield washer fluid, and the vehicle's reservoir is a windshield washer fluid tank. The windshield washer fluid in a vehicle must be refilled relatively frequently by a user. Therefore, it is best if it can be refilled particularly easily and without great effort. The windshield washer fluid can consist of pure water or water with certain additives, such as antifreeze and / or windshield washer fluid.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the filler device, the drawer can be installed in a frunk of the vehicle. Especially in electric cars, a large part of the conventional engine compartment remains free, so that this space can be used for transporting objects. In off-road vehicles in particular, the hood is positioned relatively high, so that loading the frunk via the hood opening is considered disadvantageous. For this reason, drawers are used in the frunk area, which can be pulled out forwards, backwards, or sideways, in off-road vehicles or SUVs in particular. Since the containers for operating fluids are usually located under the hood, it is a good idea to install the filler device in such a drawer in the frunk.

[0025] The drawer can also be located in the rear of the vehicle (trunk) or in a side area of ​​the vehicle. Here, too, locating the filling device on the drawer is a good option, as the containers can also be placed near these drawers.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the filling device, the filling device comprises a closure device configured to either close or open the filling opening. To prevent liquids or contaminants from accidentally entering the container via the filling opening, a closure device can be provided that closes the filling opening when the filling device is not in use and can open it when needed. The closure device can comprise a lid that can be operated manually or electrically, for example, by a lever, and either closes or opens the filling opening accordingly.

[0027] It can also be provided that the filler opening is mounted so that it can be moved by the closure device, and that by moving the filler opening, the filler opening can be either closed or opened. To do this, the filler opening can be moved over one another with an opening in the filler device, thus opening the filler opening. The operating fluid can then be poured into the filler opening through the opening in the filler device. If the filler opening is pushed away from the opening in the filler device again, the filler opening can be closed, for example, by a housing part of the filler device or the drawer.

[0028] Instead of moving the filling opening, it can also be rotated or pivoted. The moving, rotating, or pivoting of the filling opening can be done manually or electrically using a lever or lever mechanism. It is also conceivable for such a lever mechanism to be activated by extending the drawer, so that the filling opening is closed when the drawer is pushed in and unlocked when the drawer is pulled out.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the filling device, the drawer has a closable opening for receiving the objects, and the closing device of the filling device is coupled to the drawer in such a way, preferably mechanically and / or electrically, that the filling opening can only be opened by the closing device when the opening of the drawer for receiving objects is closed. Such a configuration only opens the filling opening when the opening of the drawer for receiving objects is closed. This is advantageous in that when the operating fluid is poured into the filling opening, none of the operating fluid can get into the drawer and onto the objects therein, as can quickly happen, for example, when the container is overfilled.

[0030] For example, the locking device can be coupled to a drawer lid that closes the interior of the drawer at the top. The coupling is then configured such that the locking device can only open the filling opening when the lid closes the interior of the drawer.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the filling device, the filling device comprises a funnel that opens into the filling opening to simplify filling. To facilitate filling the operating fluid into the filling opening, this funnel can be arranged directly at the filling opening and firmly connected to it. The funnel has a large and a small opening, with the operating fluid being poured into the funnel through the large opening, and the funnel directing the operating fluid toward the small opening, with the small opening in particular coinciding with the filling opening.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the filling device, the filling device and / or the filling opening are designed to be flexible. Especially when the filling device is located in the front area of ​​the vehicle, this can be important for pedestrian protection. Therefore, to reduce health risks in the event of contact with a pedestrian, it is advantageous if the filling device or the filling opening is made of a flexible material, such as rubber or silicone.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the filling device, the filling device is arranged on the drawer in a foldable and / or pivotable manner, whereby the filling opening can be exposed by folding and / or pivoting. Various mechanisms can be used to expose the filling opening. For this purpose, the filling opening or the entire filling device can be attached to the drawer in a foldable and / or pivotable manner, so that the filling opening is exposed when folding or pivoting.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the filling device, the drawer comprises a front side, wherein the front side coincides with an outer shell of the vehicle when the drawer is pushed in, in particular the front side follows a contour of the outer shell of the vehicle, a rear side opposite the front side, two sides extending in vertical planes which connect the front side and the rear side, an upper side extending in a horizontal plane which connects the front side, the rear side and the sides to one another and closes off the drawer at the top, wherein the filling device is arranged on one of the two sides or the rear side and / or the upper side.Such a drawer can be designed essentially as a rectangular cuboid, with the front side being adapted to a contour of the vehicle, such as a radiator grille or a rear vehicle door, and the rear side and a bottom side being adapted to the available installation space, thus deviating from a flat design. The filling device can be arranged on the sides, the rear side, and / or the top side of the drawer, so that the drawer must be at least partially extended to access the filling device or the filling opening.

[0035] In a further embodiment of the filling device, the filling device is arranged on the rear or one of the sides of the drawer, wherein the filling device is arranged outside an interior space of the drawer, wherein the interior space serves for transporting the objects. In particular, the filling device is arranged below a plane spanned by the top. If the filling device is arranged on the outside of the drawer, and thus not in the interior of the drawer, no storage space for transporting the objects is lost. The shape of the interior also remains unaffected, so that larger objects can be transported in the drawer.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the filling device, the filling device is integrated into a closure lid of the drawer, wherein the closure lid lies flush with the top of the drawer when closed, and protrudes at least partially from the top of the drawer when open. Such a closure lid seals the drawer at the top, preventing contaminants from entering the drawer or onto the objects. Such a closure lid can also accommodate the filling device. The closure lid can be attached to the drawer by means of a hinge so that the closure lid can be folded upwards.

[0037] It is also conceivable for the lid to be constructed in several parts, so that one part of the lid can be opened while another part is firmly connected to the drawer. Therefore, the filling device is arranged in a region of the lid that is flush with the top of the drawer both when the lid is closed and when it is open.

[0038] Also according to the invention is a drawer for transporting objects in a vehicle and an entire vehicle with a drawer for transporting objects, with a filling device according to the invention.

[0039] In addition, a method is also provided according to the invention which serves to fill a container of a vehicle with an operating fluid and comprises the following steps, wherein in particular the order of the steps can be changed: a. Pulling out a drawer to transport objects from a vehicle; b. Releasing a filling device by pulling out the drawer; c. releasing a filling opening of the filling device; d. Pour the operating fluid into the filler opening; e. Transfer the operating fluid from the filler opening into a container in the vehicle.

[0040] It may be advantageous if the filling opening is also exposed when the drawer is pulled out. However, it may also be necessary to additionally actuate the filling device to expose the filling opening. In particular, therefore, the filling opening is also exposed when the drawer is pulled out.

[0041] In one embodiment of the method, the filling opening is only released when a transport space of the drawer, also referred to as the drawer's interior, is closed. This can be achieved, for example, by using a cover for the transport space or the drawer's interior. This prevents operating fluid from entering the transport space or the drawer's interior during filling.

[0042] The present invention will be explained in detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 a drawer in a frunk of a vehicle in an extended state, Fig. 2 the drawer Fig. 1 with a filling device arranged at the rear of the drawer, Fig. 3 the filling device Fig. 2 in a detailed view from above, with a closed filling opening, Fig. 4 the filling device Fig. 3 with a released filling opening, Fig. 5 a filling device arranged on one side of the drawer from above, Fig. 6a a sectional view AA of the filling device from Fig. 5 with released filling opening, Fig. 6b the sectional view AA of the filling device from Fig. 5 with closed filling opening.

[0043] In the figures, unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols designate the same or corresponding components with the same function.

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a drawer 1 in the frunk of a vehicle 2 in an extended state. The drawer 1 is pulled out along two linear rails 10 in the direction of travel 3 of the vehicle 2 and pushed in against the direction of travel 3, while the hood of the vehicle 2 can remain closed.

[0045] The drawer 1 is formed from two sides 4, a back 5, a front 6 and a base 7, which together provide an interior 8 for transporting objects. The front 6 is formed by the radiator grille of the vehicle 2. The front 6 follows an outer shell of the vehicle 2, whereby the radiator grille of the vehicle 2 is pulled out together with the drawer 1. The interior 8 of the drawer 1 is open at the top and thus provides an opening for receiving the objects. At the top, the interior 8 of the drawer 1 can be closed by a closure lid 9, whereby the closure lid 9 is in Fig. 1 is shown in an open state.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows drawer 1 from Fig. 1 with a filling device 11 arranged on a rear side 5 of the drawer 1. The drawer 1 is in an extended state and protrudes beyond the outer shell of the vehicle 2. The filling device 11 is arranged flush and below the top side or the closure lid 9 in the closed state, so that the filling device 11 does not protrude upwards beyond the drawer 1. The filling device 11 is also arranged outside the interior 8 of the drawer 1, so that the essentially rectangular interior 8 is not reduced in size and even larger rectangular objects can still find space in the interior 8.

[0047] Fig. 3 shows the filling device 11 from Fig. 2 in a detailed view from above, with a closed filling opening 12. The filling device 11 has a locking device with a lever mechanism 13, by means of which the filling opening 12 can be moved. In Fig. 3, the filling opening 12 is in a closed state, whereas Fig. 4 shows an open state of the filler opening 12. Also shown is the container 14, which holds the operating fluid filled through the filler opening 12. For this purpose, the filler opening 12 is connected to the container 14 via a flexible hose 15, with the container 14 being firmly connected to the vehicle 2.

[0048] Fig. 4 shows the filling device 11 from Fig. 3 with a released filling opening 12. To release the filling opening 12, the filling opening 12 is made of Fig. 3 so that the filling opening 12 is aligned with an opening 16 of the filling device 11 on the top side of the drawer 1. In this position of the filling opening 12, the operating fluid can be poured into the filling opening 12 through the opening 16. To facilitate filling, the filling opening 12 is also funnel-shaped.

[0049] Fig. Figure 5 shows a filling device 11 arranged on one of the sides 4 of the drawer 1 from above. The drawer 1 only needs to be partially extended to expose the filling device 11. The filling device 11 is hingedly attached to the drawer 1, so that the filling opening 12 can be exposed by opening the filling device 11.

[0050] Fig. 6a shows a sectional view AA of the filling device 11 from Fig. 5 with the filler opening 12 open. The filler device 11 is opened so that the filler opening 12 is open and the operating fluid can be filled into the filler opening 12.

[0051] Fig. 6b shows the sectional view AA of the filling device 11 from Fig. 5 with closed filling opening 12. Here the filling device 11 is folded in and the filling opening 12 is therefore closed. List of reference symbols 1 drawer 2 vehicles 3 Direction of travel 4 Page 5 Back 6 Front 7 Floor 8 Interior 9 Cover cap 10 linear rails 11 Filling device 12 Filling opening 13 Lever mechanism 14 containers 15 flexible hose 16 Opening QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 972 5074 B2

[0004] CA 204 3727 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Filling device (11) for a vehicle (2), comprising a filling opening (12) for an operating fluid of the vehicle (2) for filling a container (14) of the vehicle, characterized by that the filling device (11) is arranged on a pull-out drawer (1), wherein the drawer (1) can be arranged on the vehicle (2) for transporting objects, and the filling opening (12) is only accessible in an at least partially pulled-out state of the drawer (1). [2] Filling device (11) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the operating fluid is washer fluid and the container (14) of the vehicle (2) is a washer fluid container. [3] Filling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the drawer (1) is anodizable in a frunk of the vehicle (2). [4] Filling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the filling device (11) comprises a closure device which is designed to either close or open the filling opening (12). [5] Filling device (11) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the filling opening (12) is displaceably mounted by the closure device, and by displacing the filling opening (12) the filling opening (12) can either be closed or opened. [6] Filling device (11) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by that the drawer (1) has a closable opening for receiving the objects, and the closure device of the filling device (11) is coupled to the drawer (1), preferably mechanically and / or electrically, in such a way that the filling opening (12) can only be released by the closure device when the opening of the drawer for receiving the objects is closed. [7] Filling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the filling device (11) comprises a funnel which opens into the filling opening (12) to simplify filling. [8] Filling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the filling device (11) and / or the filling opening (12) is designed to be flexible. [9] Filling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the filling device (11) is arranged on the drawer (1) in a foldable and / or pivotable manner, wherein the filling opening (12) can be released by folding and / or pivoting out. [10] Filling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the drawer (1) comprises a front side (6), wherein the front side (6) coincides with an outer shell of the vehicle (2) when the drawer (1) is pushed in, in particular that the front side (6) follows a contour of the outer shell of the vehicle (2), a rear side (5) opposite the front side (6), two sides (4) extending in vertical planes which connect the front side (6) and the rear side (5), an upper side extending in a horizontal plane which connects the front side (6), the rear side (5) and the sides (4) to one another and closes off the drawer (1) at the top, wherein the filling device (11) is arranged on one of the two sides (4) or the rear side (5) and / or the upper side. [11] Filling device (11) according to the preceding claim, characterized bythat the filling device (11) is arranged on the rear side (5) or one of the sides (4) of the drawer (1), wherein the filling device (11) is arranged outside an interior space (8) of the drawer (1), wherein the interior space (8) serves to transport the objects, wherein in particular the filling device (11) is arranged below a plane which is spanned by the upper side. [12] Filling device (11) according to the preceding claim, characterized by in that the filling device (11) is integrated in a closure lid (9) of the drawer (1), wherein the closure lid (9) lies together with the top of the drawer (1) in a closed state, and protrudes at least partially from the top of the drawer (1) in an open state. [13] Vehicle (2) with a drawer (1) for transporting objects, with a filling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims. [14] Method for filling a container (14) of a vehicle (2) with an operating fluid: a. pulling out a drawer (1) to transport objects from a vehicle (2); b. releasing a filling device (11) by pulling out the drawer (1); c. releasing a filling opening (12) of the filling device (11); d. Filling the operating fluid into the filling opening (12); e. Transferring the operating fluid from the filling opening (12) into a container (14) of the vehicle (2). [15] Method according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the filling opening (12) is only released when an interior space (8) of the drawer (1) is closed for the objects.

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