Angled piece for connecting fluid lines of a vehicle for fluid communication

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an elbow for fluid-communicating connection of fluid lines of a vehicle, wherein the elbow has a channel section for changing a flow direction of a fluid by a change angle, wherein an inlet flow direction of the fluid into the elbow and an outlet flow direction of the fluid from the elbow form legs of the change angle.

[0002] In vehicles, fluids such as oil, fuel, or cooling water are supplied to various locations within the vehicle via fluid lines. These lines run in different directions and in different installation spaces, so that elbows are required in some positions to route the fluid lines "around the corner." The elbows are designed as quick connectors for connecting fluid lines and connect two fluid lines at a specific angle, e.g., 90°. These elbows can be manufactured, for example, using injection molding processes, in which mold cores form the interior of the elbow, whereby the elbows have relatively small inner diameters. The mold cores are withdrawn from the elbow after the injection-molded material has hardened. Separate mold cores are used for each leg of the elbow, creating a sharp edge between the legs of the elbow.If a curve were to be formed instead of the edge, this would create an undercut for the mold cores, which could lead to damage to the elbow when the cores are pulled out. When a fluid flows over this sharp edge during operation, the sudden change in direction creates turbulence, resulting in a significant pressure drop. This pressure drop affects the entire fluid system of the vehicle in which the elbow is installed.

[0003] WO 2016 / 001364 A1 discloses a device for flow deflection for a turbomachine, in particular for a multi-stage compressor, such as a geared turbocompressor. The device comprises a first and a second tubular flow deflection segment with a first and second flow inlet and a first and second flow outlet opening, respectively, as well as a first and second segment longitudinal axis, respectively. The first flow outlet opening of the first flow deflection segment is connected to the second flow inlet opening of the second flow deflection segment such that the second segment longitudinal axis is inclined by a predeterminable angle of inclination relative to the first segment longitudinal axis. In order to realize a simple and cost-effective device, it is provided that the first and / or the second flow deflection segment have / have a first and / or second internal cross-sectional change along their respective segment longitudinal axis.

[0004] DE 103 60 839 B3 describes a pipe bend for connecting fluid lines arranged at an angle to each other. To reduce flow resistance, the resulting pressure loss, and flow noise, flow guide elements in the form of guide plates are provided within the pipe bend.

[0005] DE 25 13 113 A1 discloses another known angle piece.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved angle piece, wherein the improved angle piece reduces a pressure drop.

[0007] This object is achieved by an elbow having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the elbow are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention provides an elbow for connecting fluid lines of a vehicle, wherein at least one guide element projecting into the elbow supports the change in flow direction brought about by the elbow. The guide element causes a portion of the fluid flowing through the elbow and over an edge arranged in the elbow to be deflected before this portion generates vortices through interaction with other portions of the fluid flow, which lead to a pressure drop in the flow. Without the guide element, this portion of the flowing fluid, like the rest of the flowing fluid, would flow to a deflecting surface of the channel section and only then be deflected.In this case, the portion of the flowing fluid would cross the path of already deflected portions of the fluid and cause eddies. The guide element deflects the portion of the fluid by the angle of change before this portion creates eddies with other already deflected portions of the fluid. Thus, the invention reduces eddies in elbows used to connect fluid lines of vehicles in a fluid-communicating manner. Furthermore, the pressure drop in the elbow and the connected fluid line system is reduced. This allows the vehicle system to save energy, since no additional energy needs to be expended to increase the pressure in the fluid line system.

[0008] Furthermore, the angle piece can have an inlet section and an outlet section which are fluidly connected by means of the channel section, wherein the channel section has an edge which is arranged between the inlet section and the outlet section.

[0009] The production of an edge can be done easily using mold cores, since, unlike a curve, the edge has no undercuts in relation to the required mold cores.

[0010] It can further be provided that the channel section has three guide elements, wherein one of the three guide elements is arranged between the other two of the three guide elements and defines a guide channel with the other two of the three guide elements.

[0011] Three guide elements deflect three different portions of the fluid flow by the angle of change. Only a small portion of the flowing fluid flows to a deflecting surface of the channel section. This further prevents the flows from crossing in the elbow, thus improving the prevention of vortices. This also further improves the prevention of pressure drops.

[0012] The angle of change can be between 45° and 135°, preferably between 60° and 110°, more preferably 90°.

[0013] Furthermore, the at least one guide element can have an arc-like section which covers an angle whose amount corresponds entirely or largely to the angle of change.

[0014] According to the invention, the guide elements are connected to a support ring that is inserted into and connected to the angle piece. The advantage of designing the support ring as a separate component, particularly as a support ring, is that different material pairings can be used. The polyamides regularly used for angle pieces are susceptible to hydrolysis. By designing the support ring as a separate component, combinations with other materials that are not susceptible to hydrolysis are possible.

[0015] Furthermore, the reinforcing element can extend in a further extension direction along the main flow direction of the fluid in the elbow.

[0016] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1a, b schematic representations of an angle piece not belonging to the invention, Fig. 2a-c schematic cross-sectional representations of an angle piece not belonging to the invention with exemplary streamlines, Fig. 3a-e schematic cross-sectional representations of an example of a guide element that is used in an angle piece not belonging to the invention, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of another example of a guide element that is used in an angle piece not belonging to the invention, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of another example of a guide element that is used in an angle piece not belonging to the invention, Fig. 6a, bschematic representations of another example of a guide element which is used in an angle piece not belonging to the invention, Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a holder for a fluid line with a guide element which is used in an angle piece not belonging to the invention, Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a holder for an angle piece not belonging to the invention with a guide element, and Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of guide elements with at least one reinforcing element which are used in an angle piece belonging to the invention.

[0017] The elbow for fluid communication between fluid lines of a vehicle is designated below by reference number 10.

[0018] In Figure 1aThe elbow 10 is shown. The elbow 10 is designed as a quick connector for fluid lines of a vehicle. The connection to fluid lines of a vehicle is made at an inlet section 14 and an outlet section 16 of the elbow 10. From the fluid lines connected to the elbow 10 in a fluid-communicating manner, a fluid is introduced into the elbow 10 at the inlet section 14 and led out of the elbow 10 at the outlet section 16. The fluid has an inlet flow direction 20 at the inlet section 14 and an outlet flow direction 22 at the outlet section 16 of the elbow 10. The inlet flow direction 20 of the fluid and the outlet flow direction 22 of the fluid form legs of a change angle 24, by which the flow of the fluid through the elbow 10 is changed. The change in flow direction takes place in a channel section 12 of the elbow 10.The change angle 24 can be between 45° and 135°, preferably between 60° and 110°, more preferably 90°.

[0019] Figure 1b shows a longitudinal section through the angle piece 10. It can be seen that an edge 42 is arranged between the inlet section 14 and the outlet section 16, which edge connects the inlet section 14 to the outlet section 16. The edge 42 is arranged in a channel section 12 of the angle piece 10. The channel section 12 has a deflecting surface 11 which is opposite the edge 42. At the deflecting surface 11, part of the flow of the fluid is deflected by the change angle 24. Another part of the flow of the fluid is deflected by the change angle 24 at a guide element 30, wherein the guide element 30 is arranged in the channel section 12 and projects into the channel section 12.

[0020] The Figures 2a to 2cshow the flows in angle pieces 10 with different numbers of guide elements 30.

[0021] Figure 2a comprises an angle piece 10 which does not have a guide element 30. Within the angle piece 10, streamlines 26 of the fluid are drawn, indicating a flow beginning at the inlet flow direction 20. In the inlet section 14, the flow is undisturbed and exhibits no turbulence or eddies. The flow flows over the edge 42 into the channel section 12, whereby boundary layer separation occurs at the edge 42 and a large dead water area forms. In the process, vortices 28 form, which propagate into the outlet section 16 of the angle piece 10. The vortices lead to a pressure drop in the angle piece 10, which further extends through the downstream fluid lines of the vehicle.

[0022] Figure 2bshows an angle piece 10 having a guide element 30. A portion 32 of the fluid flow is deflected by the guide element 30 from the inlet section 14 into the outlet section 16. The remaining portion, represented by the streamlines 26, encounters the deflecting surface 11 and is deflected and swirled there. However, fewer vortices 28 are formed than in the angle piece 10. Figure 2a . The pressure loss of the embodiment from Figure 2b is therefore smaller than the angle piece 10 from Figure 2a .

[0023] The angle piece 10 from Figure 2ccomprises three guide elements 30. The three guide elements 30 are arranged between the edge 42 and the deflecting surface 11 such that one of the guide elements 30 is arranged between the other two guide elements 30. A guide channel 36 is formed between the centrally arranged guide element 30 and the two outer guide elements 30.

[0024] A portion 32 of the fluid flow is deflected between the edge 42 and a guide element 30 arranged closest to the edge 42 from the inlet section 14 into the outlet section 16. The portions 34 and 35 of the fluid flow are deflected by the two guide channels 36 from the inlet section 14 into the outlet section 16 by the angle of change 24. The remaining portion of the flow, represented by the streamlines 26, continues to impinge on the deflecting surface 11. However, this portion is significantly smaller than the sum of portions 32, 34, and 35 and forms only a few vortices 28. Overall, only very few vortices 28 form in this embodiment, so that the pressure drop in this embodiment is lower than in the other two embodiments. Figure 2a and 2b is lowest.

[0025] The Figures 3a to 3eshow an embodiment of a guide element 30. The guide element 30 has according to Figure 3a a connecting section 38 and an arcuate section 40. The arcuate section 40 sweeps an angle similar to or equal to the change angle 24. Furthermore, the arcuate section 40 is arranged such that it deflects a flow from the inlet flow direction 20 into the outlet flow direction 22. The connecting section 38 connects the arcuate section 40 to the inner wall 18 of the edge section 12. The connecting section 38 has a different shape than the arcuate section 40.

[0026] In this embodiment, the connecting section 38 on the inner wall 18 according to Figure 3b, which shows a cross-section through the connecting section 38 on the inner wall 18, has an angular shape with two leg pieces 37, 39. The leg pieces 37, 39 form legs of an angle whose magnitude corresponds to the angle of change 24.

[0027] The connecting section 38 changes from the inner wall 18 to the arch-like section 40 in an arched shape, which is achieved by the Figures 3c and 3d The arch shape according to Figure 3e reaches the connecting section 38 at the transition to the arch-like section 40.

[0028] The guide element 30 is designed to be very thin at the arch-shaped section 40. As a result, the arch-shaped section 40 is at least flexible enough to be elastically deformed without damage when a mold core is pulled out. However, the flexibility of the guide element 30 is not so great that it can be deformed by an air flow. The guide element 30 can thus be manufactured using a mold core within the angle piece 10 while the angle piece 10 is being manufactured. The leg pieces 37, 39 of the connecting section 38 are arranged in the direction of the inlet flow direction 20 and the outlet flow direction 22, with the mold core being pulled out along one of the two directions after the guide element 30 and the angle piece 10 have been manufactured. A mold core that is pulled out against the inlet flow direction 20 provides a shape for the leg piece 37.A mold core which is pulled out in the exit flow direction 22 provides a shape for the leg piece 39.

[0029] Since the arch-shaped section 40 is designed to be flexible as described above, it can deform during the removal of the mold core and is not damaged as a result. Thus, the guide element 30 can be easily manufactured using a mold core within the angle piece 10 during the manufacture of the angle piece 10.

[0030] Figure 4shows a further embodiment of the guide element 30. The connecting section 38 connects only a portion 41 of the arc-shaped section 40 to the inner wall 18. The connecting section 38 thus extends in the flow direction only along the portion 41 of the arc-shaped section 40. Furthermore, the connecting section 38 comprises a cross-sectional area formed from two partial surfaces 44, 45. The partial surface 45 is designed such that it has no undercuts in the inlet flow direction 20. The partial surface 44 is designed such that it has no undercuts in the outlet flow direction 22. Furthermore, the arc-shaped section 40 is also designed to be flexible in this embodiment according to the description given above.

[0031] The section of the connecting section 38 that includes the partial surface 45 can thus be produced using a mold core that is pulled out of the angle piece 10 counter to the inlet flow direction 20. The section of the connecting section 38 that includes the partial surface 44 can thus be produced using a mold core that is pulled out of the angle piece 10 in the outlet flow direction 22. Due to the flexibility of the arc-shaped section 40, the arc-shaped section 40 deforms when the mold cores are pulled out, since the arc-shaped section 40 has an undercut with respect to the mold cores. However, due to its flexibility, the arc-shaped section 40 is not damaged in the process.

[0032] Figure 5shows a further embodiment of the guide element 30. In this embodiment, the guide element 30 has been manufactured separately from the angle piece 10. Guide grooves 48 are manufactured or introduced into the inner wall 18 of the angle piece 10. A guide groove 48, which extends toward the inlet section 14, is aligned along the inlet flow direction 20. A guide groove 48, which extends toward the outlet section 16, is aligned along the outlet flow direction 22.

[0033] The guide element 30 has a connecting section 38 comprising rail elements 46 that are slidably movable in a guide groove 48. The rail elements 46 can be fixed in the guide groove 48.

[0034] The guide element 30 can thus be inserted into the angle piece 10 and connected to the guide channel 48 by means of the rail elements 46. The rail elements 46 can then be moved along the guide channel 48 until the guide element 30 is arranged at the intended position on the channel section 12. The rail elements 46 are then fixed to the guide channel 48.

[0035] By manufacturing the guide element 30 separately, the guide element 30 can be made of a different material than the angle piece 10.

[0036] The Figures 6a and 6b show a further embodiment of the guide element 30. According Figure 6aA lateral opening 50 is formed in the inner wall 18 of the channel section 12, through which the arch-like section 40 of the guide element 30 can be arranged from the outside into the channel section 12. The connecting section 38 of the guide element 30 can be connected to the lateral opening 50. The guide element 30 can be inserted into the opening 50 and, for example, welded or glued.

[0037] The connecting section 38 is designed according to Figure 6b connected to the inner wall 18. The connection is made at the position where the guide element 30 is to be arranged in the angle piece 10.

[0038] This embodiment of the guide element 30 is also manufactured separately from the angle piece 10 and can consist of a different material than the angle piece 10.

[0039] In Figure 7A further embodiment of the guide element 30 is described. The guide element 30 is formed on a retaining element 56 of a fluid line 52, which is inserted into the angle piece 14. The retaining element 56 extends from the inlet section 14 to the channel section 12 of the angle piece 10. The guide element 30 is arranged at one end of the retaining element 56 and is arranged in the channel section 12 by arranging the retaining element 56 in the angle piece 14.

[0040] A further fluid line 54 can be inserted into the outlet section 16 of the angle piece 12. Alternatively, the guide element 30 can be arranged on a holding element 56, which is connected to the angle piece 12 via the outlet section 16.

[0041] In Figure 8A further embodiment of the guide element 30 is described. The guide element 30 is arranged on the angle piece 10 with a retaining element 56. The retaining element 56 can be inserted into the angle piece 10 to arrange the guide elements 30 on the channel section 12.

[0042] The holding element 56 can be inserted into the angle piece 10 both through the input section 14 and through the output section 16.

[0043] Fig. 9shows another example of a holding element 56, which has three guide elements 30 and extends from a support ring 60. The support ring 60 can be inserted into the angle piece 10. For this purpose, the support ring 60 has a groove 62, which is pressed into an undercut on the angle piece 10 for fastening. In an embodiment not belonging to the invention, however, the connection of the support ring 60 can also be formed in another way, e.g., by gluing, welding, etc.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment not belonging to the invention, the reinforcing element 58 can be connected directly to the angle piece 10.

[0045] In this example, the guide elements 30 are supported by a reinforcing element 58. The reinforcing element 58 supports the guide elements 30 against a wall of the support ring 60. The guide elements 30 are supported by the reinforcing element 58 in a direction transverse to their own direction of extension.

[0046] According to an embodiment not forming part of the invention, the reinforcing element 58 does not support the guide elements 30 on the support ring 60 or the angle piece 10. The reinforcing element 58 can also simply support the guide elements 30 against each other. This alone improves the stability of the guide elements 30.

[0047] The reinforcement element 58 extends into the flowing fluid deflected by the guide elements 30 and can connect the guide elements 30 to one another. Contrary to expectations, the reinforcement element 58 reduces the pressure drop in the elbow 10 instead of increasing it. Without the reinforcement element 58, the pressure drop reduction in an elbow 10 with an angle of 90° can be, for example, an average of 36%. By adding the reinforcement element 58, the reduction can be, for example, an average of 39%.

[0048] In this example, the reinforcing element 58 is designed as a strut that extends along the main direction of the flowing fluid and between the guide elements 30, connecting the guide elements 30. In this example, the reinforcing element 58 is arranged in the plane spanned by the legs of the angled section 24 and extends with its main extension directions in this plane. However, it can also be arranged intersecting this plane. List of reference symbols

[0049] 10Elbow 11Deflecting surface 12Channel section 14Inlet section 16Exit section 18Inner wall 20Inlet flow direction 22Exit flow direction 24Change angle 26Streamlines 28Vortex 30Guide element 32Part of the flow 34Part of the flow 35Part of the flow 36Guide channel 37Leg piece 38Connecting section 39Leg piece 40Arc-shaped section 41Part 42Edge 44Partial surface 45Partial surface 46Rail element 48Guide channel 50Side opening 52Fluid line 54Fluid line 56Retaining element 58Reinforcing element 60Support ring 62Groove

Claims

1. Elbow for fluid-communicating connection of fluid lines of a vehicle, wherein the elbow (10) has a channel section (12) for changing a flow direction of a fluid by a change angle (24), wherein an inlet flow direction (20) of the fluid into the elbow (10) and an outlet flow direction (22) of the fluid from the elbow (10) form legs of the change angle (24), wherein at least one guide element (30) is arranged in the channel section (12) and projects into the channel section (12), wherein the at least one guide element (30) at least largely changes the flow direction of one part of the fluid by the change angle (24), wherein the at least one guide element (30) is connected at a support ring (60), which is inserted into the elbow (10) and connected to the elbow (10), wherein the support ring (60) has a groove (62) which is press-fitted with an undercut at the elbow (10), wherein a reinforcement element (58) is a strut and supports the at least one guide element (30) against the support ring (60), wherein the reinforcement element (58) extends away from the at least one guide element (30).

2. Elbow according to Claim 1, characterized in that the elbow (10) has an inlet section (14) and an outlet section (16) which are connected in fluid communication via the channel section (12), wherein the channel section (12) has an edge (42) which is arranged between the inlet section (14) and the outlet section (16).

3. Elbow according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the channel section (12) has at least three guide elements (30), wherein one of the three guide elements (30) is arranged between the two other guide elements of the three guide elements (30) and, with the two other guide elements of the three guide elements (30), in each case defines a guide channel (36) .

4. Elbow according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the change angle (24) is between 45° and 135°, preferably between 60° and 110°, more preferably 90°.

5. Elbow according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one guide element (30) has a section (40) which is similar in shape to an arc and which covers an angle whose magnitude corresponds completely or largely to the change angle (24).

6. Elbow according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one guide element (30) is fastened to a holding element (56), wherein the holding element (56) extends away from the support ring (60).