LIQUID TANK FOR A VEHICLE'S LIQUID SYSTEM, LIQUID SYSTEM AND VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid tank for a liquid system of a vehicle of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1, a liquid system of a vehicle and a vehicle.

[0002] Such liquid tanks for vehicle liquid systems, liquid systems for vehicles, and vehicles are already known from the prior art in numerous design variants. The known liquid tanks for vehicle liquid systems comprise a tank housing for storing a liquid of the liquid system, wherein the tank housing is designed as a multi-shell unit and has at least two interconnected tank housing shells, and at least one flow channel of the liquid system integrated into the tank housing.

[0003] For example, EP 1 002 682 A2 discloses an arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1. The flow channel integrated into the tank housing is fluidly connected to the check valve for discharging purge air. Similar arrangements are also disclosed in DE 10 2013 004 926 A1 and DE 10 2019 104 333 A1, with the valves known therefrom being designed as vent valves.

[0004] In contrast, DE 10 2017 006 079 A1 has a valve integrated into an expansion tank, whereby the valve as a whole, i.e. with its own valve housing, is integrated into the expansion tank.

[0005] Furthermore, reference should be made to US 4 514 980 A, GB 1 584 728 A, FR 2 874 879 A1 and DE 43 12 063 C1.

[0006] This is where the present invention comes in.

[0007] The present invention is based on the object of improving a liquid tank for a liquid system of a vehicle, a liquid system of a vehicle and a vehicle.

[0008] This object is achieved by a liquid tank for a liquid system of a vehicle with the features of claim 1, which is characterized in that the tank housing is simultaneously designed as a valve housing for at least a second valve of the liquid system for controlling at least one liquid flow of the liquid in the liquid system. The at least one of the at least one flow channel integrated in the tank housing, which is formed by means of two interconnected tank housing shells of the at least two tank housing shells, can, for example, be designed as a flow channel that connects the liquid tank to the rest of the liquid system in a flow-conducting manner. However, this is not absolutely necessary. Accordingly, it can also be a flow channel of the liquid system that is not directly connected to the liquid tank in a flow-conducting manner.Furthermore, this object is achieved by a fluid system of a vehicle having the features of claim 5 and a vehicle having the features of claim 7. The subclaims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

[0009] A significant advantage of the invention is in particular that a liquid tank for a liquid system of a vehicle, a liquid system of a vehicle and a vehicle are improved.

[0010] Due to the inventive design of the liquid tank for a liquid system of a vehicle, the liquid system of a vehicle, and the vehicle, the aforementioned liquid tank, the aforementioned liquid system for a vehicle, and the aforementioned vehicle can be realized in a particularly simple manner in terms of design and manufacturing technology. Furthermore, this enables centralization of the components of a liquid system for a vehicle. At the same time, a flow-optimized design of the flow channels of the liquid system is easy to realize in terms of manufacturing technology, since the at least one flow channel of the liquid system, formed by two interconnected tank housing shells, is not only integrated into the tank housing, but can be freely designed within wide suitable limits due to the aforementioned design. Furthermore, the number of components of the liquid system is reduced.This simplifies the logistics, warehousing, and production of the fluid system for a vehicle. Furthermore, a very compact and thus space-saving design of the fluid system is possible. Preferably, the second valve can be designed as a so-called multi-way valve in order to reduce the number of second valves required in the fluid system. Alternatively or in addition to the aforementioned multi-way valve, a plurality of second valves is also conceivable, each of whose valve housings is formed in the tank housing.

[0011] A particularly advantageous development of the liquid tank according to the invention for a liquid system of a vehicle provides that the first valve is arranged in the flow channel formed by the two interconnected tank housing shells. This allows the arrangement of the aforementioned valve to be implemented in a particularly simple manner in terms of design and manufacturing technology. This is possible, for example, because the aforementioned valve does not have to be designed as a separate component to be connected to a flow channel in a flow-conducting manner. With flow channels usually designed as hose lines, it is necessary for the valve to be connected to it to have, on the one hand, a suitable housing and, on the other hand, two connecting pieces that can be connected to this hose line in a flow-conducting manner. This is not necessary with the present development of the liquid tank according to the invention.The first valve can be designed accordingly reduced.

[0012] In principle, the first valve can be freely selected within wide, suitable limits in terms of type, function, material, dimensions and relative arrangement in the corresponding flow channel.

[0013] Another particularly advantageous development of the liquid tank according to the invention for a liquid system of a vehicle provides that one of the tank housing shells of the tank housing is simultaneously designed as the valve housing for the second valve. Preferably, the valve housing is designed as a lowermost tank housing shell of the tank housing. Particularly preferably, the tank housing has at least three tank housing shells with the lowermost tank housing shell, a middle tank housing shell, and an uppermost tank housing shell. In this way, the tank housing of the liquid tank with the valve housing of the second valve integrated therein can be realized in a particularly simple manner in terms of design and production technology. This applies particularly to the preferred and in particular to the particularly preferred embodiment of this development.However, the latter three-shell design of the tank housing with an uppermost tank housing shell, a middle tank housing shell and a lowermost tank housing shell is not absolutely necessary.

[0014] A further advantageous development of the inventive liquid tank for a vehicle's liquid system provides for the tank housing shells to be each formed as a plastic injection-molded part. Plastic injection-molded parts can be freely designed in a variety of ways within technical limits, so that even very complex designs of liquid tanks according to the invention can be realized using plastic injection molding. Forming the liquid tank from individual tank housing shells of the tank housing further increases the design possibilities without complicating the production of the inventive liquid tank.

[0015] In principle, the fluid system for a vehicle according to the invention can be freely selected within wide, suitable limits in terms of type, mode of operation, and arrangement within the vehicle. For example, it is conceivable for the fluid system for the vehicle to be designed as a coolant system for cooling vehicle components. Electric vehicles and so-called hybrid vehicles are purely exemplary here. Such vehicles have a drive battery, an electric drive motor along with the corresponding power electronics, and, for example, a refrigerant circuit for air conditioning the vehicle's interior.The drive battery, the electric drive motor with the corresponding power electronics and the coolant circuit of the vehicle are designed, for example, in a manner known per se to those skilled in the art and can be cooled and / or heated by means of the liquid system according to the invention designed as a coolant system.

[0016] An advantageous development of the fluid system according to the invention for a vehicle provides that one of the tank housing shells of the tank housing is simultaneously designed as the valve housing for the second valve. Preferably, the valve housing is designed as a lowermost tank housing shell of the tank housing. Particularly preferably, the tank housing has at least three tank housing shells with the lowermost tank housing shell, a middle tank housing shell, and an uppermost tank housing shell. As already explained above, this allows the tank housing of the fluid tank with the valve housing integrated therein to be realized in a structurally and manufacturing-technically simple manner. This applies particularly to the preferred and in particular to the particularly preferred embodiment of this development. However, as also already explained, the three-shell design of the tank housing of the fluid tank is not necessarily the case.

[0017] The invention is explained in more detail below using the attached, roughly schematic drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention with the liquid system according to the invention in a first partial, perspective view, Fig. 2 shows the embodiment in a second, partial, perspective view, without the uppermost tank housing shell, and Fig. 3 shows the embodiment in a detailed view in the area of ​​the first valve, in a partial, sectional top view.

[0018] In the Fig. 1 bis 3 is an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, with a fluid system according to the invention shown purely by way of example.

[0019] The vehicle is designed here as a motor vehicle, namely a purely electric vehicle, and is not shown in more detail.

[0020] In the present exemplary embodiment, the fluid system 2 for the vehicle is designed as a coolant system for cooling the drive battery, the drive motor, and the corresponding power electronics, as well as for cooling a refrigerant circuit for air conditioning the interior of the vehicle. The drive battery, the drive motor with the corresponding power electronics, the refrigerant circuit, and the interior of the vehicle are also not shown in detail here and are designed, for example, in a manner known per se to those skilled in the art.

[0021] The fluid system 2 designed as a coolant system comprises a fluid tank 4 designed as a coolant tank for storing a fluid of the vehicle (not shown) designed as a coolant, and a total of three fluid circuits connected to the fluid tank 4 in a flow-conducting manner and designed as coolant circuits in which the fluid circulates. The fluid circuits are shown in the Fig. 1 bis 3 not shown in detail and formed in a manner known to the person skilled in the art.

[0022] The liquid tank 4 of the liquid system 2 comprises a tank housing 6 for storing the liquid of the liquid system 2, wherein the tank housing 6 is designed as a multi-shell and has at least two interconnected tank housing shells, namely a lowermost tank housing shell 8, a middle tank housing shell 10 and an uppermost tank housing shell 12, and at least one flow channel of the liquid system 2 integrated in the tank housing 6. In the present embodiment, one of the flow channels integrated in the tank housing 6, namely the flow channel 14, is formed by means of two interconnected tank housing shells, namely the middle and uppermost tank housing shells 10, 12 of the at least two tank housing shells 8, 10, 12. See the Fig. 2 . The tank housing shells 8, 10, 12 are each formed as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0023] A first valve 16 designed as a check valve is arranged in the flow channel 14. See the Fig. 3 .

[0024] The fluid system 2 further comprises a second valve 18, which is fluidly connected to the fluid circuits and / or the fluid tank 4, for controlling at least one fluid flow of the fluid in the fluid system 2, wherein the tank housing 6, namely the lowermost tank housing shell 8, is simultaneously designed as a valve housing for the second valve 18 of the fluid system 2. See the Fig. 1 and 2 .

[0025] The second valve 18 is designed here as a so-called multi-way valve and comprises the valve housing, which is also designed as the lowest tank housing shell 8, with a plurality of valve housing openings, a valve body arranged in the valve housing 8 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, with at least one flow-conducting connecting channel for the flow-conducting connection of at least two valve housing openings of the plurality of valve housing openings, a valve seal arranged between the valve housing 8 and the valve body with valve seal openings corresponding to the valve housing openings, a valve drive for the automatic rotation of the valve body about the rotation axis, and a plurality of a total of five flow channels corresponding to the valve housing openings for the flow-conducting connection of the second valve 18, namely the valve housing openings, with a remainder of the liquid system 2. In the Fig. 1 and 2Only four of the five flow channels, namely flow channels 20, 22, 24, 26, are visible.

[0026] The valve housing openings of the valve housing 8 of the valve 18 are in the Fig. 1 bis 3 not shown. The same applies to the valve body with at least one connecting channel, the valve seal with the valve seal openings corresponding to the valve housing openings, and the valve drive.

[0027] The flow channels 20, 22, 24, 26, which are connected to the second valve 18 in a flow-conducting manner, are jointly formed from a single first channel shell and a single second channel shell 30, wherein the first channel shell is simultaneously designed as the valve housing, namely the lowermost tank housing shell 8, which can be connected to the second channel shell 30 to form the aforementioned flow channels 20, 22, 24, 26. Analogous to the lowermost tank housing shell 8, which is simultaneously designed as the first channel shell and valve housing, the second channel shell 30 in the present exemplary embodiment is also designed as a plastic injection-molded part. For the purpose of forming the aforementioned flow channels 20, 22, 24, 26, the two channel shells 8, 22 are connected to one another by plastic welding. In principle, however, other connection techniques are also conceivable.Depending on the specific requirements of the individual case, the specialist will select the appropriate joining technique for connecting the two channel shells. Adhesive techniques are mentioned here purely as an example.

[0028] The lowermost tank housing shell 8, which simultaneously serves as a valve housing and as a first channel shell, is designed to be moldable in the present exemplary embodiment such that a sealing side of the valve housing 8 facing the valve seal is essentially burr-free after demolding of the valve housing 8. This is achieved in manufacturing terms, for example, by structurally avoiding mold separation on the sealing side of the valve housing 8 in the aforementioned plastic injection-molded part, namely the valve housing 8.

[0029] In the following, the vehicle according to the invention with the fluid system according to the invention according to the present embodiment is described with reference to the Fig. 1 bis 3 explained in more detail.

[0030] First, the individual tank housing shells, namely the lowest tank housing shell 8, which is designed simultaneously as the first channel shell and valve housing, the middle tank housing shell 10 and the uppermost tank housing shell 12 of the tank housing 6 of the liquid tank 4 as well as the second channel shell 30, are each manufactured individually, i.e. separately from one another, as a plastic injection-molded part in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

[0031] Subsequently, the individual tank housing shells 8, 10, 12 are plastic-welded together to form the tank housing 6 of the liquid tank 4. See the Fig. 1 .

[0032] In the Fig. 2 the liquid tank 4 is only partially shown, namely in that of the total of three tank housing shells 8, 10, 12 of the tank housing 6, only the lowest and the middle tank housing shell 8, 10 are shown, so that the view of a part of the flow channel 14 integrated in the middle tank housing shell 10 is clear. This part of the flow channel 14 then forms, after the connection of the middle tank housing shell 10 with the Fig. 2 not shown uppermost tank housing shell 12, in which a part of the flow channel 14 corresponding to the aforementioned part of the flow channel 14 is formed, the flow channel 14.

[0033] In order to form the flow channels 20, 22, 24, 26 that are connected to the second valve 18 in a flow-conducting manner, the second channel shell 30 is now plastic-welded to the bottommost tank housing shell 8, which simultaneously serves as the first channel shell and valve housing. Analogous to the design of the flow channel 14, a part of each of the flow channels 20, 22, 24, 26 is formed in the bottommost tank housing shell 8, and a corresponding part of each of the flow channels 20, 22, 24, 26 is formed in the second channel shell 30. Accordingly, the flow channels 20, 22, 24, 26 are formed as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 visible.

[0034] Finally, the second valve 18 is completed by first inserting and securing the valve seal (not shown) and then the valve body (also not shown) of the second valve 18 into the bottom tank housing shell 8, which is designed as a valve housing, in a manner known to those skilled in the art. For example, the second valve 18 has a cover plate (also not shown) for this purpose, which holds the second valve 18 in the respective image plane of the Fig. 1 and 2 at the bottom. In the present embodiment, this end plate is mechanically connected to the tank housing shell 8, which also serves as a valve housing, by means of three screws (not shown).

[0035] Due to the inventive design of the liquid tank for a liquid system of a vehicle, the liquid system for a vehicle, and the vehicle according to the present exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned liquid tank 4, the aforementioned liquid system 2, and the aforementioned vehicle can be realized in a particularly simple manner in terms of design and manufacturing technology. Furthermore, this enables centralization of the components of the liquid system 2 for the vehicle. At the same time, a flow-optimized design of the flow channels 14, 20, 22, 24, 26 of the liquid system 2 is easily realized in terms of manufacturing technology, since, on the one hand, the flow channel 14 of the liquid system, formed by the interconnected middle and uppermost tank housing shells 10, 12, is not only integrated into the tank housing 6, but, due to the aforementioned design, can be freely designed within wide, suitable limits.The same applies to the integration of the valve housing 8 of the second valve 18 into the tank housing 6 and the flow channels 20, 22, 24, 26 which are connected to the second valve 18 in a flow-conducting manner and which are also integrated into the tank housing by means of the lowest tank housing shell 8 which is simultaneously designed as the first channel shell.

[0036] The invention is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, the invention can also be advantageously used in other types of vehicles. This applies not only to land vehicles, but also to aircraft and marine vehicles.

[0037] In particular, the invention is not limited to the design and manufacturing details of the exemplary embodiment. For example, the number of at least one flow channel formed by two interconnected tank housing shells of the at least two tank housing shells can be freely selected within wide, suitable and technically feasible limits. The same applies to the number of flow channels connected to the second valve in a flow-conducting manner and the corresponding valve housing openings and valve seal openings. The same applies to the spatial arrangement of the individual flow channels, which can also be freely selected within technical limits depending on the spatial conditions of the respective application.

[0038] It is also conceivable that the tank housing consists of only two tank housing shells. However, any other reasonable number of tank housing shells is also possible.

[0039] In contrast to the present embodiment, the second valve can also be attached solely to the liquid tank, namely the tank housing, by means of its valve housing. Accordingly, integration of the valve housing of the second valve into the tank housing is not absolutely necessary. Furthermore, the second valve can also be attached to other suitable components of the vehicle, for example, a body or a drive motor of the vehicle. However, embodiments of the invention are also conceivable in which no second valve is present.

[0040] Instead of forming the individual tank housing shells as plastic injection-molded parts, other manufacturing techniques and materials known to those skilled in the art can also be used for the tank housing shells. Accordingly, tank housing shells formed as plastic parts can also be manufactured in other suitable ways. However, unlike plastic, other materials suitable for the respective liquid tank, such as aluminum, can also be used to manufacture the individual tank housing shells. The respective joining technology for connecting the individual tank housing shells is then adapted to the materials used. Of course, combinations of materials and / or manufacturing techniques and / or joining techniques are also conceivable in the manufacture of the tank housing shells and the liquid tank.

[0041] Of course, the invention can be advantageously used not only in fluid systems of a vehicle designed as coolant systems. Accordingly, the invention can be used for a variety of different applications. List of reference symbols

[0042] 2Vehicle fluid system 4Liquid tank 6Tank housing of the liquid tank 4 8Lowest tank housing shell of the tank housing 6, simultaneously designed as the valve housing of the second valve 18 and as the first channel shell 10Middle tank housing shell of the tank housing 6 12Topmost tank housing shell of the tank housing 6 14Flow channel integrated into the tank housing 6 16First valve, designed as a check valve 18Second valve, designed as a multi-way valve 20Flow channel connected to the second valve 18 in a flow-conducting manner 22Flow channel connected to the second valve 18 in a flow-conducting manner 24Flow channel connected to the second valve 18 in a flow-conducting manner 26Flow channel connected to the second valve 18 in a flow-conducting manner 30Second channel shell

Claims

1. Liquid tank (4) for a liquid system (2) of a vehicle, comprising a tank housing (6) for the storage of a liquid of the liquid system (2), wherein the tank housing (6) is designed to be multi-shelled and features at least two tank housing shells (8, 10, 12) connected to each other and at least one flow channel (14, 20, 22, 24, 26) of the liquid system (2) integrated in the tank housing (6), wherein at least one of the at least one flow channel (14) integrated in the tank housing (6) is formed by means of two interconnected tank housing shells (10, 12) of the at least two tank housing shells (8, 10, 12) and a first valve (16) designed as a check valve is arranged in at least one of the at least one integrated flow channel (14), characterized in that the tank housing is designed (6) at the same time as a valve housing (8) for at last one second valve (18) of the liquid system (2) for controlling at least one liquid flow of the liquid in the liquid system (2).

2. Liquid tank (4) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the first valve (16) is arranged in the flow channel (14) formed by means of the two tank housing shells (10, 12) connected to each other.

3. Liquid tank (4) in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the tank housing shells (8) of the tank housing (6) is simultaneously designed as the valve housing for the second valve (18), preferentially in that the valve housing is designed as a lowermost tank housing shell (8) of the tank housing (6), particularly preferentially in that the tank housing (6) features at least three tank housing shells (8, 10, 12) with the lowermost tank housing shell (8), a middle tank housing shell (10) and an uppermost tank housing shell (12).

4. Liquid tank (4) in accordance with one of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that the tank housing shells (8, 10, 12) are each designed as an injection-molded plastic part.

5. Liquid system (2) of a vehicle, comprising a liquid tank (4) for storage of a liquid of the liquid system (2) and at least one liquid circuit connected to the liquid tank (4) in a flow-conducting manner, the liquid circuit having at least one flow channel (14, 20, 22, 24, 26) in which the liquid circulates, characterized in that the liquid tank (4) is fashioned in accordance with one of claims 1 through 4, namely in such a way that the liquid system (2) features at least one second valve (18) connected in a flow-conducting manner to the liquid circuit and / or the liquid tank (4) for controlling at least one liquid flow of the liquid in the liquid system (2), wherein the tank housing (6) is designed at the same time as a valve housing for the second valve (18) of the liquid system (2).

6. Liquid system (2) in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that one of the tank housing shells (8) of the tank housing (6) is designed at the same time as the valve housing for the second valve (18), preferentially in that the valve housing is designed as a lowermost tank housing shell (8) of the tank housing (6), particularly preferentially in that the tank housing (6) features at least three tank housing shells (8, 10, 12) with the lowermost tank housing shell (8), a middle tank housing shell (10) and an uppermost tank housing shell (12).

7. Vehicle, comprising a liquid system (2), preferentially a liquid system designed as a coolant system (2), characterized in that the liquid system (2) is fashioned in accordance with one of claims 5 or 6.