Method and device for an integrated fluid drain on a vehicle component

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for an integrated liquid drain on a vehicle component (14), wherein the vehicle component has an interior space filled with a liquid, wherein the vehicle component is arranged on the upper side of an underride guard (16), wherein a first opening (21) is provided on the vehicle component at a point lowest to a road surface, to which a through-sleeve (13) is firmly connected with an underside of the vehicle component, wherein several second openings (22) to the interior space are provided around the first opening, to which a sealing ring (15) closing the several second openings (22) under atmospheric pressure is arranged on an outside of the vehicle component, wherein a recess (23) is provided in the underride guard.in which a support washer (19) is placed on the sealing ring and an edge of the underride guard surrounding the recess (23) and is screwed in place with an anchor bolt (17) inserted into the through sleeve, and in which, for the purpose of draining fluid, the anchor bolt is loosened and the sealing ring is pulled out downwards.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for an integrated fluid drain on a vehicle component, wherein the vehicle component is bolted to a chassis at the fluid drain. Furthermore, a device is presented which enables the fluid draining.

[0002] Thin-walled vehicle components, such as a traction battery module, cannot be bolted to a vehicle frame or chassis on their underside because the thin wall of a battery housing does not allow for a screw thread. Therefore, several electrically interconnected battery modules are usually embedded in a traction battery housing. Due to heat generation during operation, the individual battery modules are immersion-cooled, with all battery modules connected to a closed cooling circuit and coolant flowing through them. To replace the coolant, it is therefore necessary to remove vehicle components located above the traction battery, which is generally situated in the area of ​​the vehicle underbody. These components might include vehicle seats or at least a cover of the traction battery housing. This allows the battery modules to be removed and the coolant to be drained.

[0003] From publication EP 3 836 293 A1, a battery with several battery cells is known, which are arranged in a battery housing through which a coolant flows.

[0004] Publication EP 4 167 350 A1 also describes an immersion-cooled battery module with a battery cell stack enclosed by a housing cover, a housing base, and side walls. An inlet and an outlet for the coolant are located on opposite side walls.

[0005] The publication EP 2 899 796 A1 discloses a battery comprising a battery housing and several battery cells arranged within the battery housing, wherein the interior of the housing is circulated with a coolant for direct cooling of the battery cells. During maintenance, inspection, or repair, the coolant can be drained via a drain opening, which is normally closed by a removable sealing element.

[0006] DE 10 2020 205 930 A1 relates to a housing with at least one accumulator cell, wherein, for improved temperature control, the interior of the housing is filled with a temperature control fluid. A vent opening is provided on the underside of the housing.

[0007] DE 10 2019 210 057 A1 relates to an accumulator with two housing parts, wherein accumulator cells are housed in an internal volume of the housing between the housing parts and the internal volume is at least partially filled with a liquid fluid during operation. A plug for draining the fluid from the internal volume is provided on the accumulator.

[0008] DE 10 2013 021 414 A1 discusses a battery arrangement for venting gases from a battery, comprising a battery housing with an opening to which a pipe for venting gases is attached. An end of the pipe facing away from the battery has a pipe opening to which a shielding plate is attached, the shielding plate having at least one through-opening through which gases can be vented from the pipe.

[0009] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to propose a method for draining liquid from a liquid-cooled vehicle component, wherein the vehicle component abuts a vehicle underbody at one side. The liquid drain should be accessible from below the underbody. Furthermore, a device that enables the liquid drain is to be presented.

[0010] To solve the aforementioned problem, a method for an integrated fluid drain on a vehicle component is proposed, wherein the vehicle component has an interior space filled with a fluid and is arranged on the upper side of an underride guard. Outside of vehicle component operation, the fluid has a pressure equal to atmospheric pressure, and during vehicle component operation, a pressure above atmospheric pressure. A first opening is provided on the vehicle component at its lowest point relative to the road surface, through which a through-sleeve is firmly connected to an underside of the vehicle component, the through-sleeve sealing the interior space of the vehicle component in a fluid-tight manner.Several secondary openings to the interior are provided around the primary opening. A sealing ring, which closes these secondary openings under atmospheric pressure and has a bearing surface around the primary opening, is positioned on the outer side of the vehicle component. A recess is provided in the underride guard at a location corresponding to the sealing ring of the vehicle component. The diameter of the recess is larger than the diameter of the sealing ring. A support washer, whose outer diameter is larger than the diameter of the recess and whose inner diameter corresponds to an anchor bolt diameter matching that of the through-bolt sleeve, is placed on the sealing ring and an edge of the underride guard surrounding the recess. The washer is then screwed into place with an anchor bolt inserted into the through-bolt sleeve, which engages a thread on the upper side of the vehicle component.To drain the fluid, the anchor screw is loosened and the sealing ring is pulled out downwards.

[0011] The multiple second openings according to the invention provide a fluidic connection between the liquid-filled interior of the vehicle component and an external environment, so that liquid can be drained from the vehicle component into the external environment.

[0012] According to the invention, the sealing ring seals the interior of the vehicle component against fluid leakage through the multiple secondary openings, even when the vehicle component is not in operation at atmospheric pressure and the screw connection is not tightened. For this purpose, a suitable plug is provided on the sealing ring for each of the multiple secondary openings, which wedges itself into the respective secondary opening. This advantageously ensures that the vehicle component remains fluid-tight even during removal. Furthermore, according to the invention, the vehicle component is sealed by the pressure exerted on the sealing ring by the pressure of the support washer by the screw connection when fluid pressure builds up during operation. This allows, for example, a fluid-tight seal up to approximately four bar.

[0013] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vehicle component is selected from the following list: battery, battery module, internal combustion engine, clutch housing, brake line system, air conditioning system.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the liquid is selected from the following list: cooling medium, dielectric oil, engine oil, gear oil, brake fluid, cooling water.

[0015] If, for example, a battery is chosen as a vehicle component, in particular a battery of an electric vehicle, then a dielectric oil is advantageously chosen as the liquid for this vehicle component, and furthermore, the vehicle component is advantageously connected to a cooling circuit in order to cool the dielectric oil which heats up during driving.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, a head of the anchor screw is covered with a protective cap, wherein the diameter of the protective cap is larger than the diameter of the recess.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the thread into which the anchor screw engages is arranged in a section of a vehicle chassis located above the vehicle component.

[0018] Furthermore, a device is claimed which comprises a vehicle component with a liquid-filled interior, a through-sleeve, a seal, a support washer, an anchor bolt, and a vehicle underride guard. The vehicle component is arranged on the upper side of the underride guard, wherein the liquid in the vehicle component has a pressure corresponding to atmospheric pressure when the vehicle component is not in operation, and a pressure above atmospheric pressure when the vehicle component is in operation. A first opening is provided on the vehicle component at its lowest point relative to the road surface, to which a through-sleeve is firmly connected with an underside of the vehicle component, and the through-sleeve seals an interior of the vehicle component in a media-tight manner.Several secondary openings to the interior are provided around the primary opening. A sealing ring, which closes these secondary openings under atmospheric pressure and has a bearing surface around the primary opening, is located on the outer side of the vehicle component. A recess is provided in the underride guard at a location corresponding to the sealing ring of the vehicle component. The diameter of the recess is larger than the diameter of the sealing ring. A support washer, whose outer diameter is larger than the diameter of the recess and whose inner diameter corresponds to an anchor bolt diameter matching that of the through-bolt sleeve, is placed on the sealing ring and an edge of the underride guard surrounding the recess. The washer is then screwed to the underride guard by an anchor bolt inserted into the through-bolt sleeve, which engages a thread on the upper side of the vehicle component.The device is designed so that the anchor screw can be loosened or is loosened for a liquid drain and the sealing ring can be pulled out downwards or is pulled out.

[0019] In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the vehicle component is selected from the following list: battery, battery module, internal combustion engine, clutch housing, brake line system, air conditioning system.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the liquid is selected from the following list: cooling medium, dielectric oil, engine oil, gear oil, brake fluid, cooling water.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the head of the anchor screw is covered with a protective cap, wherein the diameter of the protective cap is larger than the diameter of the recess.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the thread into which the anchor screw engages is arranged in a section of a vehicle chassis located above the vehicle component.

[0023] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawing.

[0024] 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.

[0025] The characters are described in a coherent and overarching way. Fig. Figure 1 shows two frontal views of an embodiment of the device according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the design of the device according to the invention. Fig. 1.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 1 shows two frontal views 10 of an embodiment of the device according to the invention. A detailed view 11, which shows an exploded view of the assembly, illustrates the insertion of an anchor bolt 17 into a through-sleeve 13, which is itself arranged in a first opening of a vehicle component 14. The anchor bolt 17 presses a bearing washer 19 onto a sealing ring 15, which in turn presses the sealing ring against an underride guard 16. The anchor bolt 17 is covered by a protective cap. A sectional view 12 shows an assembly, in which plugs, in particular, sealing an interior of the vehicle component 14, are visible on the sealing ring 15.

[0027] In Fig.Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the device according to the invention. The through-sleeve 13 is arranged in a first opening 21 of the vehicle component 14. Several second openings 22 are formed around this first opening 21, providing a fluidic connection between the liquid-filled interior of the vehicle component 14 and an external environment. A recess 23 in the outer sheet metal of the underride guard allows the sealing ring 15 to be pressed unhindered against an underside of the vehicle component 14. Reference symbol list 10 frontal views 11 Individual part view 12 Sectional view of an assembly 13 Through-hole sleeve 14 Vehicle component 15 sealing rings 16 Underride protection 17 Anchor bolt 18 Protective flap 19 Support plate 20 Perspective view 21 First opening 22 Second opening 23 recess

Claims

[1] Method for an integrated fluid drain on a vehicle component, wherein the vehicle component (14) has an interior space filled with a fluid, wherein the vehicle component (14) is arranged on the upper side of an underride guard (16), wherein the fluid has a fluid pressure corresponding to atmospheric pressure outside of vehicle component operation and the fluid has a fluid pressure above atmospheric pressure during vehicle component operation, wherein a first opening (21) is provided on the vehicle component (14) at a point lowest to a road surface, to which a through-sleeve (13) is firmly connected with an underside of the vehicle component (14), wherein the through-sleeve (13) seals an interior space of the vehicle component (14) in a media-tight manner, wherein several second openings (22) to the interior space are provided around the first opening (21),in which a sealing ring (15) closing the several second openings (22) under atmospheric pressure, which has a bearing surface around the first opening (21), is arranged on an outside of the vehicle component (14), in which a recess (23) is provided in the underride guard (16) at a location corresponding to the sealing ring (15) of the vehicle component (14), wherein a diameter of the recess (23) is larger than a diameter of the sealing ring (15), in which a support washer (19), the outer diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the recess (23) and the inner diameter of which corresponds to an anchor bolt diameter corresponding to the through sleeve (13), is placed on the sealing ring (15) and an edge of the underride guard (16) surrounding the recess (23) and is connected to an anchor bolt (17) inserted into the through sleeve (13), which engages in a thread on an upper side of the vehicle component (14),is screwed together, and for a liquid drain the anchor screw (17) is loosened and the sealing ring (15) is pulled out downwards. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle component (14) is selected from the following list: battery, battery module, internal combustion engine, clutch housing, brake line system, air conditioning system. [3] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid is selected from the following list: cooling medium, dielectric oil, engine oil, gear oil, brake fluid, cooling water. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a head of the anchor screw (17) is covered with a protective cap (18), wherein a diameter of the protective cap (18) is larger than the diameter of the recess. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thread into which the anchor screw (17) engages is arranged in a section of a vehicle chassis located above the vehicle component (14). [6] Device comprising a vehicle component (14) with a liquid-filled interior, a through-sleeve (13), a sealing ring (15), a support washer (19), an anchor bolt (17), and an underride guard (16) of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle component (14) is arranged on an upper surface of the underride guard (16), wherein the liquid in the vehicle component (14) has a liquid pressure corresponding to atmospheric pressure outside of vehicle component operation and the liquid has a liquid pressure above atmospheric pressure during vehicle component operation, wherein a first opening (21) is provided on the vehicle component (14) at a point lowest to a road surface, to which a through-sleeve (17) is firmly connected with an underside of the vehicle component (14), and the through-sleeve (17) seals an interior of the vehicle component (14) in a media-tight manner,wherein several second openings (22) to the interior are provided around the first opening (21), a sealing ring (15) which closes the several second openings (22) under atmospheric pressure and has a bearing surface around the first opening (21) is arranged on an outside of the vehicle component (14), wherein a recess (23) is provided in the underride guard (16) at a location corresponding to the sealing ring (15) of the vehicle component, wherein a diameter of the recess (23) is larger than a diameter of the sealing ring (15), wherein a support washer (19) whose outer diameter is larger than the diameter of the recess (23) and whose inner diameter corresponds to an anchor bolt diameter corresponding to the through sleeve (13) is placed on the sealing ring (15) and an edge of the underride guard (16) surrounding the recess (23) and is connected to an anchor bolt (17) inserted into the through sleeve (13),which engages in a thread on an upper side of the vehicle component (14), and wherein the device is designed so that the anchor screw (17) can be loosened or is loosened for the purpose of draining the fluid and the sealing ring (15) can be pulled out downwards or is pulled out. [7] Device according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle component (14) is selected from the following list: battery, battery module, internal combustion engine, clutch housing, brake line system, air conditioning system. [8] Device according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the fluid is selected from the following list: cooling medium, dielectric oil, engine oil, gear oil, brake fluid, cooling water. [9] Device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a head of the anchor screw (17) is covered with a protective cap (18), wherein a diameter of the protective cap (18) is larger than the diameter of the recess (23). [10] Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the thread into which the anchor screw (17) engages is arranged in a section of a vehicle chassis located above the vehicle component (14).

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