Tank venting valve, tank cap unit and vehicle
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing tank ventilation valves for vehicles, such as those proposed in DE 199 22 453 A1, are complex and prone to errors due to the requirement of sensors for electromagnetic operation, making them less robust and reliable in preventing fuel escape during inclined positions or accidents.
A tank ventilation valve with a spherical actuating element and a conical working space that automatically transitions from an open to a closed position based on the vehicle's inclination, using the shape of the working space to indirectly actuate the closure element, eliminating the need for additional sensors and components.
The solution provides a robust, reliable, and simplified mechanism to prevent fuel escape during accidents or extreme vehicle inclinations, ensuring the valve remains closed without the risk of complex sensor failures, while maintaining a space-saving and efficient design.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024060157_14112024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Tank vent valve, tank cap unit and vehicle
[0002] The present invention relates to a tank venting valve, in particular a roll-over valve, and to a vehicle, in particular a land vehicle, such as a motorcycle.
[0003] Tank venting valves or tank venting systems of the type in question are used, for example, to vent fuel tanks in vehicles with combustion engines. In extreme tilt situations or in the event of an accident, etc., this venting function should be disabled to prevent the unintentional escape of fuel. In this context, DE 199 22 453 A1 proposes a rollover valve designed as an electromagnetically actuated valve. The disadvantage of this is that a sensor is required to control the valve. The concept is therefore rather complex and therefore prone to errors.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tank ventilation valve, a tank closure unit and a vehicle, wherein the tank ventilation valve is to be designed in particular to be robust and reliable.
[0005] This object is achieved by a tank venting valve according to claim 1, a tank closure unit according to claim 11 and by a vehicle according to claim 13. Further advantages and features emerge from the subclaims as well as the description and the attached figures.
[0006] According to the invention, a tank ventilation valve, in particular a roll-over valve, which can be displaced from an open position into a closed position inclined thereto, comprises a working chamber which extends along a longitudinal axis, wherein a valve unit is formed or arranged in an upper region of the working chamber, comprising a closure element which can be displaced to open and close the valve unit, in particular into a valve seat, and wherein the closure element is operatively connected for displacement to an actuating element which can be actuated by an actuating element, in particular a spherical one, which is arranged in the working chamber, and wherein the actuating element is arranged displaceably in the working chamber such that the actuating element contacts the actuating element in the open position for actuation and the closure element in the closed position. The tank ventilation valve comprises an inlet and an outlet.A fluid, such as an air-fuel mixture, can be introduced via the inlet, and discharged via the outlet when the tank venting valve is in the open position. According to a preferred embodiment, the outlet is fluidly connected to another component, particularly preferably to an activated carbon canister. When the tank venting valve is in the open position, the fluid can flow through the tank venting valve. In the closed position, flow through is not possible. The closure element of the valve unit then interacts with the correspondingly designed valve seat to prevent flow through. This ensures that, in the event of an accident or when the vehicle is at an extreme incline, etc., fuel cannot be accidentally released into the atmosphere or run into the activated carbon canister, etc.In the installed position of the tank venting valve, the aforementioned longitudinal axis extends, at least substantially or approximately, along a vertical or vertical axis. In particular, the tank venting valve is arranged in the installed position such that the actuating element actuates or contacts the adjusting element, thereby opening the valve unit. The adjusting element is expediently connected to the closure element or in contact with it in such a way that a change in the position of the adjusting element actuates the closure element. The change in the position of the adjusting element is initiated by the actuating element, which is displaceable in the working chamber such that it contacts the adjusting element or not, depending on the position of the tank venting valve.
[0007] For this purpose, the actuating element is arranged so that it can be moved accordingly. This moveability is achieved or can be achieved in particular via the shape of the working chamber. In the open position, the actuating element rests on the adjusting element. The adjusting element is mounted in such a way that the closure element is or is moved away from the valve seat. When the tank venting valve is tilted from its normal position (open position), the actuating element moves towards the closure element in such a way that it finally contacts the valve seat. The tank venting valve is closed (closed position). The closure element is connected to the adjusting element, in particular is mounted in or on it. When the closure element is moved, the adjusting element moves and vice versa. The closure element is advantageously moved back via the adjusting element.If the tank vent valve is moved back to its normal position, the actuating element moves back accordingly, with the working chamber being shaped such that the actuating element contacts the adjusting element, in particular comes to rest on it. This introduction of force causes a movement of the adjusting element and thus the relocation of the closure element, which is operatively connected to the adjusting element. The entire arrangement advantageously requires very few components or parts. The actual actuating mechanism is effected indirectly via the shape of the working chamber. This is expediently designed such that the actuating element contacts the adjusting element when the respective vehicle is in the normal position, which in turn holds the closure element in the open position.If the vehicle in question, and thus also the tank vent valve, is displaced, the actuating element leaves its position and moves toward the closure element. The working space is designed so that the actuating element must touch the closure element. Upon this contact, or as a result of this contact, the valve unit is closed. For this purpose, the closure element interacts in a suitable manner with a congruently designed valve seat.
[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the working chamber is conical or substantially conical in the lower region, or at least in the lower region. This configuration advantageously enables secure contact with the actuating element in the open position. The actuating element, or the corresponding region of the actuating element which is contacted via the actuating element, is expediently arranged at the lower end of the conical working chamber. The conical shape furthermore enables the aforementioned displacement of the actuating element towards the closure element when the tank venting valve is tilted. The cone angle can advantageously be used in a structurally simple manner to adjust how quickly the tank venting valve should react, in particular, for example, at which angle the tank venting valve should be closed.The aforementioned term "conical" should be understood to mean that it does not necessarily refer to an ideal conical shape. A plurality of appropriately inclined surfaces is sufficient to provide the functionality of a cone. In other words, the working space, and in particular the lower region of the working space, must be designed such that the actuating element can reliably actuate the adjusting element in the open position, while in the closed position it can contact the closure element, which, according to a preferred embodiment, is arranged opposite the corresponding region of the adjusting element.
[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the cone angle lies in a range of 20-60°, particularly preferably in a range of 30-50°. However, deviations upwards and downwards are conceivable and possible, depending on the application. The cone angle is measured between the longitudinal axis and the surface of the working area inclined relative to it.
[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the actuating element is, in particular, a ball or a spherical element. Plastics or metallic materials are suitable as materials. Metallic materials are particularly preferred in this case due to their higher specific gravity. Typical diameters of the ball are expediently in a range between 0.5 and 2 cm, in particular in a range of approximately 1-2 cm.
[0011] The actuating element preferably comprises a support section which, in the open position, acts as a support for the actuating element, whereby the actuating element can be actuated or is actuated. According to a preferred embodiment, the support section is arranged flush below the closure element. The support section is expediently formed or arranged in the lowest region of the working chamber. The support section expediently forms the end of the working chamber or is arranged there. The support section preferably comprises a surface on which the actuating element can rest in the open position of the tank venting valve. As a result, a force acts on the actuating element, which moves the closure element into the open position.If the actuating element actuates the closure element, the support section is also displaced accordingly, in particular towards the closure element, in other words, at least slightly, away from the lower area of the working space.
[0012] The actuating element is mounted via a bearing point. The actuating element is mounted for rotation about a rotation axis. The tank venting valve preferably comprises a housing, wherein the actuating element is mounted in the housing for rotation about the rotation axis. The actuating element is expediently designed such that it crosses the working chamber, preferably in the upper region of the working chamber.
[0013] The rotational axis is expediently arranged or positioned in the region of the valve unit, wherein the actuating element has an arm, at the end of which the support section is formed, and wherein the arm has or comprises an engagement region for interacting with the closure element. The arm is mounted via the bearing point, in particular in the aforementioned housing, crosses the working space and then extends along the working space to the lower region of the working space. In the region in which the arm crosses the working space, the engagement region for interacting with the closure element is expediently formed or arranged. The closure element of the valve unit is movably mounted along a closing axis. The closing axis is preferably oriented parallel to the aforementioned longitudinal axis.The locking element interacts with the engagement area of the arm or is mounted therein in such a way that the adjusting element is always moved along with the locking element when it moves along the closing axis. The locking element is therefore expediently positively guided by the arm, or the arm or the adjusting element is positively guided by the locking element.
[0014] According to one embodiment, the closure element has a section that extends through the engagement region, wherein the section has contact surfaces on both sides of the arm for interacting with the arm. The aforementioned section can, for example, be designed in the manner of a web that extends through the engagement region of the actuating element, which is designed, for example, as an opening. The contact surfaces serve to transmit force, in particular along the closing axis / longitudinal axis, from the actuating element to the closure element and vice versa.
[0015] The closure element has an actuating section, through which it can be moved along the closing axis toward the valve seat by applying force via the actuating element. The countermovement is initiated by the adjusting element, which interacts with the closure element.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the arm extends at least partially or in sections within a pocket or recess, or is arranged there, wherein the pocket or recess is formed in the housing of the tank venting valve. The pocket is preferably molded onto the working chamber or adjoins it, ensuring that the actuating element, if possible, does not extend within the working chamber itself. This ensures that the actuating element can move freely within it, regardless of the direction in which the tank venting valve is tilted.
[0017] As already mentioned, the locking element is advantageously mounted for linear movement along the locking axis. The locking axis preferably lies in a rotational plane of the actuating element. The rotational plane is the plane described by the movement of the actuating element. The rotational plane is preferably oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis, in turn, is aligned parallel to the locking axis. This results in a robust and space-saving design.
[0018] The aforementioned inlet is expediently formed or arranged in the lower region of the working chamber. The fluid can thus flow through the working chamber from bottom to top. The outlet is accordingly expediently arranged in the upper region. According to one embodiment, the outlet can be designed as a nozzle to which a line can be connected. Alternatively, the outlet can be designed as a recess or the like into which a hose or the like can be inserted. The inlet can be configured in a similar manner.
[0019] The invention also relates to a tank closure unit, in particular for a vehicle, comprising a tank venting valve according to the invention. Vehicles of the type in question can be water, air, or land vehicles. According to a preferred embodiment, it is a tank closure unit for a motorcycle or tilting vehicle, in particular for a motorcycle or a scooter, whereby the term "motorcycle" also includes multi-track vehicles such as quads or LNM (lean multi-wheel) vehicles.
[0020] The tank closure unit preferably comprises a housing, wherein an opening is formed in the housing for inserting a filler neck of a tank system. The tank closure unit preferably comprises a lid or a lid element that can be removed so that the aforementioned filler opening can be exposed. The housing is designed for arrangement in or on a tank of the corresponding vehicle. The arrangement is expediently effected in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner and, in particular, in a fluid-tight manner via a corresponding number of screws.
[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the tank venting valve is integrated into the tank closure unit. The aforementioned housing of the tank venting valve is expediently the housing of the tank closure unit mentioned here. Alternatively, the tank venting valve can also be provided as a separate structural unit in the tank of the respective vehicle. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a tank venting valve according to the invention or a tank closure unit according to the invention. The advantages and features mentioned in this context also apply analogously and accordingly to the vehicle.
[0022] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of a tank venting valve according to the invention with reference to the attached figures.
[0023] It shows:
[0024] Fig. 1: an embodiment of a tank venting valve according to the invention in a sectional view;
[0025] Fig. 2: another view of the tank venting valve known from Fig. 1.
[0026] Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a tank venting valve, comprising a housing 10, wherein an actuating element 60 is mounted in the housing 10 at a bearing point 14 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis D. The actuating element 60 has an arm 62, which has a support section 64 at its end and an engagement region 66 for interacting with a closure element 52. The support section 64 is located at a lower end 42 of a working chamber 40. A spherical actuating element 20 is arranged in the working chamber 40. In the open position of the tank venting valve shown here, the actuating element 20 actuates the actuating element 60, which thus actuates the closure element 52 of the valve unit 50. The closure element 52 is arranged in an upper region 44 of the working chamber 40. In particular, the closure element 52 is arranged substantially flush above the support section 64 on which the actuating element 20 rests.It can also be seen that an arm 62 of the actuating element 60 virtually intersects or crosses the working chamber 40 in the upper region 44. In the region of the "intersection", the interaction with the closure element 52 takes place. The tank venting valve has an inlet 16 at the bottom, which in the present case is designed, for example, such that a hose or the like can be inserted. A fluid, such as an air-fuel mixture, can be introduced into the tank venting valve via the inlet 16. Depending on whether the valve unit 50 is open or closed, the fluid can be discharged from the tank venting valve via the valve unit 50 and an outlet, which is not visible in the present sketch, for example in the direction of an activated carbon canister (not shown here).The engagement region 66 of the actuating element 60 is designed, for example, as an opening or bore through which a corresponding section of the closure element 52 extends. The reference symbol a denotes a cone angle of the essentially conical lower region 42 of the working chamber 40. It can also be seen that the actuating element 60 extends over large areas in a pocket 12 of the housing 10. This ensures that the actuating element 20 can move as unhindered as possible within the working chamber 40. As already mentioned, the open position of the tank venting valve is sketched in Fig. 1. In this open position, the actuating element 20 rests on the actuating element 60 or its support section 64, whereby the closure element 52 is / is opened indirectly via the actuating element.If the tank vent valve is now tilted, the actuating element 20 moves within the working chamber toward the closure element 52, which, since it is mounted for linear movement along the longitudinal direction L, is displaced into a valve seat of the valve unit 50, thereby closing the valve unit 50. Reference numeral 70 denotes a pressure relief valve. The section AA is sketched in Fig. 2.
[0027] Fig. 2 shows the section AA sketched in Fig. 1. In particular, the interaction of the closure element 52 with the actuating element 60 or its engagement region 66 can be seen here. The closure element has a section 54 which projects through the engagement region 66 of the actuating element 60. Furthermore, two contact surfaces 56 are provided on the closure element 52, via which the force can be transmitted from the closure element 52 to the actuating element 60 and vice versa. For interaction with the actuating element 20, the closure element 52 has an actuating section 51. The reference symbol S denotes a closing axis along which the closure element 52 moves linearly. Fig. 2 sketches a state in which the actuating element 20 is shortly before moving in the direction of the actuating section 51. The lower section 42 of the working space 40 is designed accordingly for this purpose.The angle at which the actuating element moves can expediently be adjusted via a cone angle or generally the design of the working chamber 40, particularly in the lower region 42; see also Fig. 1 in this regard. If the actuating element 20 touches the closure element 42, the closure element 42 is displaced into a valve seat 58 of the valve unit 50, and the valve unit 50 is thus closed. No fluid exchange can take place between the inlet 16 and an outlet 18, which is only sketched as an arrow here. If the tank venting valve is moved back again, for example rotated clockwise in the present sketch, the actuating element 20 again touches the support section 64 of the actuating element 60 and thus pulls the closure element 52 out of the valve seat 58. The reference symbol E denotes a plane of rotation within which the actuating element 60 moves.The rotation plane E is oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis L, along which the working space 40 extends. It can be seen that the closure element 52 is arranged flush above the support section 64.
[0028] The housing, as sketched here, can be the housing of the tank venting valve. Alternatively, the housing can also be the housing of a tank closure unit into which the tank venting valve is integrated. In this embodiment, the tank venting valve is not a separate structural unit, but is formed directly in the tank closure unit. The tank closure unit, in turn, is intended, for example, for direct installation in a tank of a vehicle, in particular, for example, a motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle or scooter.
[0029] List of reference symbols
[0030] 10 Case 12 Bag
[0031] 14 storage location
[0032] 16 Inlet 18 Outlet
[0033] 20 Actuating element, ball 40 Working space
[0034] 42 lower area
[0035] 44 upper area
[0036] 50 valve unit
[0037] 51 Operating section
[0038] 52 locking element
[0039] Section 54
[0040] 56 contact surface
[0041] 58 valve seat
[0042] 60 control element
[0043] 62 Arm
[0044] 64 support section
[0045] 66 Engagement area 70 Pressure relief valve a Cone angle
[0046] L Longitudinal axis
[0047] D axis of rotation E plane of rotation
[0048] S locking axis
Claims
Claims 1. Tank ventilation valve, in particular a roll-over valve, which can be displaced from an open position into a closed position inclined thereto, comprising a working chamber (40) which extends along a longitudinal axis (L), wherein a valve unit (50) is formed or arranged in an upper region (44) of the working chamber (40), comprising a closure element (52) which can be displaced to open and close the valve unit (50), and wherein the closure element (52) is operatively connected for displacement to an actuating element (60) which can be actuated by an actuating element (20), in particular a spherical one, which is arranged in the working chamber (40), and wherein the actuating element (20) is arranged displaceably in the working chamber (40) such that the actuating element (20) contacts the actuating element (60) in the open position for actuation and the closure element (52) in the closed position.
2. Tank venting valve according to claim 1, wherein the working chamber (40) is conical or substantially conical in the lower region (42).
3. Tank vent valve according to claim 2, wherein a cone angle (a) is in a range of 20 degrees to 60 degrees.
4. Tank ventilation valve according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element (60) has a support section (64) which, in the open position, acts as a support for the actuating element (20), whereby the actuating element (60) is actuated or actuatable.
5. Tank ventilation valve according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing (10) in which the actuating element (60) is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (D).
6. Tank venting valve according to claim 5, wherein the axis of rotation (D) is arranged in the region of the valve unit (50), and wherein the actuating element (60) has an arm (62), at the end of which the support section (64) is formed, and wherein the arm (62) has an engagement region (66) for interacting with the closure element (52).
7. Tank venting valve according to claim 6, wherein the closure element (52) has a portion (54) which projects through the engagement region (66), the portion (54) having contact surfaces (56) on both sides of the arm (52) for interacting with the arm (62).
8. Tank venting valve according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the arm (62) extends or is arranged at least in part or in sections in a pocket (12) which is formed in a housing (10) of the tank venting valve.
9. Tank venting valve according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (52) is mounted so as to be linearly movable along a closing axis (S), and wherein the closing axis (S) lies in a plane of rotation (E) of the actuating element (60).
10. Tank venting valve according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the working chamber (40) has an inlet (16), and wherein the inlet (16) is formed in the lower region (42).
11. Tank closure unit, in particular for a motorcycle, comprising a tank venting valve according to one of the preceding claims.
12. Tank closure unit according to claim 11, wherein the housing (10) of the tank venting valve is the housing of the tank closure unit.
13. Vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a tank venting valve according to one of claims 1 to 10 or a tank closure unit according to claim 11 or 12.