System for supplying an operating fluid in a motor vehicle

Abstract

System (1) for providing an operating fluid in a motor vehicle (2) comprising a tank (3) in which the operating fluid can be stored and a dispensing point (4) at which the operating fluid can be provided, further comprising a bidirectionally operable pump (9) for pumping the operating fluid, functionally arranged between the tank (3) and the dispensing point (4), and further comprising a suction line (15) and a return line (16), which functionally are arranged parallel to each other between the pump (9) and the tank (3), wherein a first filter module (17) is arranged on or in the suction line (15), wherein the operating fluid can be pumped back to the tank (3) past the first filter module (17) via the return line (16), wherein a shut-off valve (6), preferably designed as a ball check valve (7), is arranged on or in the suction line (15),which prevents the operating fluid from being pumped back through the suction line (15), wherein, functionally speaking, a second filter module (26) is arranged between the feed pump (9) and the discharge point (4).

Description

[0001] The supply of operating fluids in a motor vehicle is necessary for many of its functions. The most important operating fluid in a motor vehicle today is usually the fuel for an internal combustion engine. Other operating fluids are used, for example, for the operation of the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, such as urea-water solutions for selective catalytic reduction, or for optimizing the energy conversion process in the internal combustion engine, such as water or a water-alcohol mixture to improve the performance of the internal combustion engine, exhaust emissions, and / or fuel consumption.

[0002] To supply the operating fluid, a feed pump is required. This pump draws the fluid from a tank and, in particular, delivers it in a metered manner to a dispensing point, such as an injection unit. The operation of such a feed pump generates particles, for example, in the form of pump abrasion. Particles, such as manufacturing residues, may also be present in the system's lines. The introduction of such particles into the dispensing point, for example, into a water injection unit on an internal combustion engine, can lead to damage to the dispensing point and, in the worst case, to its failure.

[0003] From DE 10 2021 115 308 B3, DE 10 2019 201 144 A1 and DE 10 2015 208 509 A1, a system for providing an operating fluid in a motor vehicle is known, which has a bidirectionally operable feed pump with which the operating fluid can be pumped back into a tank.

[0004] In the system of DE 10 2021 115 308 B3, an air filter is provided at a free end of an injection line from which injection injectors branch off laterally, which is intended to prevent dirt and dust from flowing into the injection line.

[0005] The systems described in DE 10 2019 201 144 A1 and DE 10 2015 208 509 A1 each have a return line located between the pump and a dispensing point, which serves exclusively to return excess fluid to the tank. The return of operating fluid from the dispensing point to the tank is achieved via a suction line located between the pump and the tank, in which a pre-filter is installed. The systems also include a fine filter in the line between the pump and the dispensing point.

[0006] Other systems for conveying operating fluids are known from DE 10 2011 002 425 A1 and US 5 749 225 A.

[0007] A disadvantage of these prior art systems is that removing particles from the respective filter is only possible with considerable effort, particularly when the filter needs to be removed. In some cases, instead of cleaning, the filter may even need to be replaced during the service life of these prior art systems.

[0008] Starting from this premise, the object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problem described with reference to the prior art. This object is achieved by the system according to the features of independent claim 1.

[0009] Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims, as well as in the description and, in particular, in the description of the figures. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art can combine the individual features in a technologically meaningful way and thereby arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

[0010] This document describes a system for supplying an operating fluid in a motor vehicle, comprising a tank in which the operating fluid can be stored and a dispensing point at which the operating fluid can be supplied, further comprising a bidirectionally operable pump for supplying the operating fluid, functionally arranged between the tank and the dispensing point, and further comprising a suction line and a return line, which functionally are arranged parallel to each other between the pump and the tank, wherein a first filter module is arranged on or in the suction line, wherein the operating fluid can be returned to the tank past the first filter module via the return line, and wherein a check valve, preferably designed as a ball check valve, is arranged on or in the suction line.which prevents the operating fluid from flowing back through the suction line, whereby, functionally speaking, a second filter module is arranged between the feed pump and the discharge point.

[0011] With the system according to the invention, it is advantageously possible to clean the second filter module without impairing the first filter module.

[0012] The second filter module protects the dispensing point from particles, such as pump abrasion or manufacturing residues from the feed pump or system piping, thus preventing the dispensing point from being impaired by such particles or from being damaged. The second filter module can comprise one or more filters.

[0013] The first filter module protects the pump from particles, such as deposits or manufacturing residues from the tank, thus preventing the pump from being impaired or damaged by such particles. The first filter module can comprise one or more filters.

[0014] By providing a bidirectionally operable feed pump and the return line arranged according to the invention, the second filter module, in which particles collect, can be cleaned in order to prevent the second filter module from becoming clogged with particles and thus impairing the function of the dispensing point.

[0015] For cleaning the second filter module, the feed pump is operated in reverse mode, causing the operating fluid and the particles contained in the second filter module to move out and be transported by the feed pump to the tank. The return line provided according to the invention directs the operating fluid past the first filter module to the tank, allowing the particles to settle in the tank instead of the first filter module.

[0016] This is intended to prevent the particles from simply being transported back and forth between the first and second filter modules. It is also intended to prevent the first filter module from becoming clogged with particles, thus preventing the intake of operating fluid.

[0017] In the context of the invention, "functionally" means that the arrangement of the system components, or the relationship between two or more system components, does not necessarily have to be spatially or geometrically defined. For example, in the context of the invention, the suction line does not have to be spatially or geometrically parallel to the return line. Rather, it means that the return line can be used for pumping the operating fluid independently of the suction line, and vice versa. The term "arranged parallel to each other" is therefore to be understood in the context of the invention as the opposite of "arranged in series".

[0018] The suction line and the return line can merge into a single line in the area of ​​the tank and / or in the area of ​​the pump. Functionally speaking, at least one branch point can be provided between the pump and the tank where the return line branches off from the suction line or vice versa, or where both branch off from a third line.

[0019] The bidirectional pump can be used for metering the operating fluid in addition to pumping it. For this purpose, the pump is preferably driven by an electric motor. The pump is connected to the delivery point via at least one line. Additional system components, such as a valve and / or a sensor, can be provided on or in the line.

[0020] The system preferably has a sensor in or on the tank with which the fill level and / or properties, for example a temperature, of the operating fluid in the tank can be measured.

[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the second filter module is attached directly at the point of discharge, preferably at or in an inlet to the point of discharge.

[0022] The dispensing point is preferably designed and configured as an injection unit and serves to dispense the operating fluid to a consumer, the dispensing preferably being metered by means of the dispensing point. The dispensing takes place, as described further in this application, in particular to a component belonging to an internal combustion engine.

[0023] The dispensing point can comprise a pipe, also referred to as a rail, which is specifically designed to distribute the operating fluid to multiple dispensing injectors. The second filter module is then preferably attached to or within an inlet of the pipe. This prevents particles from entering the pipe, or allows them to do so only in a reduced form, thereby not only protecting the dispensing injectors located on the pipe, but also preventing or minimizing the settling of particles within the rail itself.

[0024] As an alternative to installation directly at the point of delivery, the second filter module can be attached to or in a line functionally located between the delivery pump and the point of delivery.

[0025] Preferably, the dispensing point has at least one dispensing injector and the second filter module is attached to or in the at least one dispensing injector.

[0026] The dispensing injector can also be referred to as an injection injector or injection nozzle. The second filter module is preferably attached to or within an inlet of the dispensing injector, so that the operating fluid must first pass through the second filter module, allowing particles to be absorbed from the operating fluid, before the operating fluid comes into contact with parts located downstream of the inlet, and in particular with moving parts of the dispensing injector, such as a slide element or an injector closing element. The second filter module on or within the dispensing injector can be provided as an alternative or in addition to a further second filter module, for example, on or within the inlet of the pipe.

[0027] It is particularly preferred if the second filter module has a sieve.

[0028] The sieve serves to absorb particles from the operating fluid and can be made of metal, for example. Alternatively or in addition to the sieve, the second filter module can contain other types of filters, such as filters made of fabric or plastic.

[0029] Furthermore, it is preferred if the first filter module and / or the second filter module is designed in such a way that particles larger than 20 µm, preferably larger than 10 µm, can be absorbed from the operating fluid.

[0030] The filters in the first and second filter modules can be designed differently, so that the first filter module can be designed for different particle sizes than the second. For example, the first filter module can be designed to absorb particles larger than 20 µm, and the second filter module can be designed to absorb particles larger than 15 µm. It is also possible that the second filter module only adsorbs larger particles that cannot pass through the first filter module and that may have originated between the first and second filter modules – for example, through abrasion in a pump.

[0031] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a shut-off valve, preferably designed as a ball check valve, is arranged on or in the return line, which prevents the operating fluid from being drawn from the tank through the return line.

[0032] In a suction operation of the feed pump, the operating fluid is drawn in only through the suction line, in the opposite direction to the return operation. The check valve on or in the return line is preferably designed as a poppet valve and more preferably as a ball check valve.

[0033] The shut-off valve located on or in the return line can be combined with the shut-off valve located on or in the suction line in a valve assembly functionally situated between the pump and the tank. This valve assembly preferably includes at least one movable valve element, particularly in the form of a ball, which performs the function of both shut-off valves. A diverter valve can be used to implement the valve assembly described above. The valve assembly then acts as a diverter between the suction line and the return line. This valve assembly is preferably located in the area of ​​a previously described branch.

[0034] Furthermore, it is preferred if the shut-off valve arranged on or in the return line and the shut-off valve arranged on or in the suction line are combined in an integral component with a first connection connected to the feed pump, a second connection connected to the suction line and a third connection connected to the return line.

[0035] The integral component is therefore designed in such a way that operating fluid is drawn in through the second connection and operating fluid is pumped back out through the third connection.

[0036] The valve arrangement described above can be incorporated into the integral component. The at least one movable valve element of the valve arrangement is then moved by the flowing operating fluid, depending on the direction of flow, such that either the second or the third port is selectively closed.

[0037] Water is the preferred operating fluid.

[0038] The point of delivery is preferably a water injection unit on an internal combustion engine. By providing the water, the energy conversion process in the internal combustion engine can be optimized. In particular, the combustion temperature can be lowered by introducing the water, which can lead to an improvement in the performance of the internal combustion engine, the emission quality and / or fuel consumption.

[0039] As an alternative to water, mixtures with water and other substances are also possible, for example a water-alcohol mixture as an operating fluid, whereby ethanol and / or methanol are added to the water.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the system may include a control unit with which the delivery pump can be controlled.

[0041] The control unit can be located outside the fuel pump and is preferably connected to the fuel pump via an electrical connection. This electrical connection can be a combined line for transmitting electrical power to operate the fuel pump and for transmitting data / control commands for its operation. The control unit may be a higher-level control unit of the vehicle, for example, an engine control unit of the internal combustion engine.

[0042] The control unit can be used, for example, to change the direction of flow. It can also be configured to adjust the flow rate of the operating fluid. Such an adjustment can be made based on sensor data from a sensor in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can be configured to control an electric motor used to operate the fuel pump.

[0043] Furthermore, a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine and a system according to the invention is described here, wherein the internal combustion engine has at least one intake manifold for supplying the internal combustion engine with air and at least one cylinder for combustion, wherein the discharge point of the system is arranged on or in the intake manifold and is equipped for discharging the operating fluid into the intake manifold and / or the discharge point is arranged on the cylinder and is equipped for discharging the operating fluid into the cylinder.

[0044] If the injection point is designed to deliver the operating fluid into the intake manifold, the injection method is also referred to as port injection and the injection point as a port injection unit. If the injection point is designed to deliver the operating fluid into the cylinder, the injection method is also referred to as direct injection and the injection point as a direct injection unit.

[0045] Port fuel injection requires lower pressure for delivering the operating fluid than direct injection, making it simpler and therefore more cost-effective to implement. However, direct injection offers greater design freedom in the described system.

[0046] It is conceivable that the system has two dispensing points, one of which is located on or in the suction pipe and is designed to dispense the operating fluid into the suction pipe, and another dispensing point is located on the cylinder and is designed to dispense the operating fluid into the cylinder.

[0047] The invention and its technical context are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show preferred embodiments, to which the invention is not limited. It should be noted in particular that the figures, and especially the size relationships shown in the figures, are only schematic. They show: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a described system for providing an operating fluid in a motor vehicle; Fig. 2: a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the described system for providing an operating fluid in a motor vehicle; Fig. 3: a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the described system for providing an operating fluid in a motor vehicle; Fig. 4: a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the described system for providing an operating fluid in a motor vehicle; Fig. 5: a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of the described system for providing an operating fluid in a motor vehicle; Fig. 6: a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a motor vehicle with the embodiment of the described system according to Fig. 1; and Fig. 7: a schematic representation of a second design variant of the motor vehicle with the design variant of the described system according to Fig. 1.

[0048] The Fig. Figures 1 to 5 show five different design variants of a system 1 for providing an operating fluid in a motor vehicle 2.

[0049] System 1 has a tank 3 in which the operating fluid can be stored. System 1 also has a dispensing point 4 at which the operating fluid is dispensed to a consumer, in particular to an intake manifold 29 or a cylinder 30 of an internal combustion engine 28 (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 7), is available.

[0050] System 1 also includes a bidirectionally operable pump 9, which can draw the operating fluid from tank 3 and pump it to the dispensing point 4, where it can be metered if necessary, and can also pump it back from the dispensing point 4 to tank 3. Functionally, the pump 9 is located between tank 3 and the dispensing point 4 and is connected to the dispensing point 4 via a line 8.

[0051] The operating fluid can be drawn from the tank 3 via a suction line 15, which is functionally arranged between the pump 9 and the tank 3. A first filter module 17 is arranged in the suction line 15, which filters particles from the operating fluid pumped through the suction line 15.

[0052] A return line 16, functionally located between the feed pump 9 and the tank 3, allows operating fluid to be returned to the tank 3. The return line 16 enables the operating fluid to be returned to the tank 3 past the first filter module 17 located in the suction line 15 and is therefore functionally arranged parallel to the suction line 15.

[0053] A shut-off valve 6 designed as a ball check valve 7 is arranged in the suction line 15, which prevents the operating fluid from being pumped back through the suction line 15.

[0054] A second filter module 26 is arranged in line 8, which is functionally located between the feed pump 9 and the discharge point 4. This filter module filters particles from the operating fluid conveyed through line 8. These particles are primarily pump abrasion and manufacturing residues. The filter module 26 serves to protect the discharge point 4.

[0055] With the system 1 shown, the second filter module 26 can be cleaned by operating the feed pump 9 in a return pumping operation and transporting the particles from the second filter 26 in the operating fluid through the feed pump 9 and the return line 16 to the tank 3.

[0056] Compared to Fig. 1 is in the implementation variant of the system according to Fig. 2. The second filter module 26 is attached directly to the discharge point 4. The second filter module 26 is arranged on an inlet 4a of the discharge point 4.

[0057] Compared to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 indicates the delivery point 4 of the in the Fig. In the embodiment of system 1 shown in Figure 3, a delivery injector 5 is provided for dispensing and, if necessary, metering the operating fluid to a consumer. The second filter module 26 is attached here to an inlet 5a of the delivery injector 5.

[0058] The Fig. 4 shows this in Fig. 1 system shown, however with a shut-off valve 6 designed as a ball check valve 7 in the return line 16, which prevents the operating fluid from being drawn in through the return line 16.

[0059] System 1 according to Fig. 5 shows, in comparison to the one in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, a valve arrangement 10 is provided, which controls the suction of operating fluid from tank 3 and the return of operating fluid to tank 3. The valve arrangement 10 is configured such that when the operating fluid is drawn from tank 3, it is drawn in through a suction line 15, and when the operating fluid is returned to tank 3, it is returned through the return line 16. The valve arrangement 10 is integrated into a component 11. The component 11 has a first connection 12, to which the feed pump 9 is connected, a second connection 13, to which the suction line 15 is connected, and a third connection 14, to which the return line 16 is connected.

[0060] The Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows a motor vehicle 2 with an internal combustion engine 28 and a system according to the one shown in Fig. 1 shown design variant.

[0061] The internal combustion engine 28 has at least one intake manifold 29 for supplying the internal combustion engine 28 with air and at least one cylinder 30 for combustion. In the case of the Fig. In the embodiment shown in 6, the discharge point 4 of system 1 is arranged on the suction pipe 29 and is designed to discharge the operating fluid into the suction pipe 29. In the embodiment shown in the Fig. In the embodiment shown in 7, the dispensing point 4 is arranged on the cylinder 30 and is designed for dispensing the operating fluid into the cylinder 30.

[0062] System 1 includes a control unit 21, which monitors and controls the delivery and / or metering of the operating fluid by the pump 9. Such a control unit 21 can, of course, also be provided in other configurations. The control unit 21 is connected to the pump 9 via an electrical connection 22. The electrical connection 22 can be configured as a combined line for transmitting electrical energy to operate the pump 9 and for transmitting data / control commands for the operation of the pump 9. Reference symbol list 1 system 2 motor vehicles 3 Tank 4 Delivery point 4a Inlet (Delivery Point) 5 Delivery injector 5a Inlet (dispensing injector) 6 shut-off valve 7 Ball check valve 8 Line 9. Pump 10 Valve arrangement 11 integral component 12 first connection 13 second connection 14 third connection 15 Intake pipe 16 Return line 17 first filter module 21 Control unit 22 electrical connection 26 second filter module 28 Internal combustion engine 29 Intake manifold 30 cylinders

Claims

[1] System (1) for providing an operating fluid in a motor vehicle (2), comprising a tank (3) in which the operating fluid can be stored and a dispensing point (4) at which the operating fluid can be provided, further comprising a bidirectionally operable pump (9) for pumping the operating fluid, functionally arranged between the tank (3) and the dispensing point (4), and further comprising a suction line (15) and a return line (16) which are functionally arranged parallel to each other between the pump (9) and the tank (3), wherein a first filter module (17) is arranged on or in the suction line (15), wherein the operating fluid can be pumped back to the tank (3) via the return line (16) past the first filter module (17), wherein a second filter module (26) is functionally arranged between the pump (9) and the dispensing point (4), characterized by, that a shut-off valve (6) is arranged on or in the suction line (15) which prevents the operating fluid from being pumped back through the suction line (15). [2] System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second filter module (26) is attached directly to the dispensing point (4). [3] System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dispensing point (4) has at least one dispensing injector (5) and the second filter module (26) is attached to or in the at least one dispensing injector (5). [4] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second filter module (26) comprises a sieve. [5] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first filter module (17) and / or the second filter module (26) is designed such that particles larger than 20 µm, preferably larger than 10 µm, can be absorbed from the operating fluid. [6] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a shut-off valve (6) is arranged on or in the return line (16) which prevents the operating fluid from being drawn from the tank (3) through the return line (16). [7] System (1) according to claim 6, wherein the shut-off valve (6) arranged on or in the return line (16) and the shut-off valve (6) arranged on or in the suction line (15) are combined in an integral component (11) with a first connection (12) connected to the feed pump (9), a second connection (13) connected to the suction line (15) and a third connection (14) connected to the return line (16). [8] System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the operating fluid is water. [9] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (1) comprises a control unit (21) with which the delivery pump (9) can be controlled. [10] Motor vehicle (2) with an internal combustion engine (28) and a system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal combustion engine (28) has at least one intake manifold (29) for supplying the internal combustion engine (28) with air and at least one cylinder (30) for combustion, wherein the discharge point (4) of the system (1) is arranged on or in the intake manifold (29) and is configured for discharging the operating fluid into the intake manifold (29) and / or the discharge point (4) is arranged on the cylinder (30) and is configured for discharging the operating fluid into the cylinder (30).

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