Tank filling equipment.
The tank filling system with a sliding and tiltable filling element addresses the complexity of filling electric vehicle reservoirs by providing ergonomic and spill-proof access, enhancing user convenience and reducing component count.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-13
AI Technical Summary
The relocation of the windshield washer fluid reservoir in electric vehicles to non-traditional locations complicates the filling process, making it difficult and prone to fluid spillage, while existing solutions involve complex, multi-component structures.
A tank filling system with a sliding and tiltable filling element that allows remote access from a side or front body part, featuring a sealing plug mechanism and bayonet-style locking, ensuring ergonomic and spill-proof filling.
Facilitates easy and spill-resistant filling of the windshield washer fluid reservoir, reducing the number of components and improving user ergonomics.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Tank filling equipment.
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of filling a tank for a motor vehicle. It relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to the field of tanks for window cleaning fluid in a motor vehicle.
[0002] In a manner known per se, a motor vehicle is equipped with a system for wiping and washing the exterior glass surfaces of the vehicle, and in particular the windshield of the vehicle.
[0003] Such a wiping and washing system prevents any obstruction of the driver's vision, particularly when the vehicle is being driven in the rain and the windshield is covered with various types of dirt, such as dust, grime, insects, or other foreign objects that could obscure the driver's view. In some cases, this system can also defrost the glass surfaces in cold weather.
[0004] Such a system may include one or more wiper blades, each of which is designed to scrape at least part of the outer surface of the glass, in particular so as to remove water present on this surface.
[0005] In general, jets or projection nozzles are for example placed on a part of the vehicle body near the window to be wiped or can be integrated into the windshield wiper blades and are supplied with washing fluid called windshield washer fluid, via a circuit including in particular a pump and a system of pipes connected to a windshield washer fluid reservoir, to project the fluid onto the surface of the window.
[0006] Virtually all internal combustion engine vehicles are equipped with a windshield wiper system with a fluid reservoir located under the hood, next to the engine components, which allows for an upward-facing filling opening, thus facilitating the filling of the reservoir when it is empty.
[0007] However, in recent years, the fight against air pollution has led car manufacturers to develop mass-produced electric vehicles with an electric motor as their sole means of propulsion and in which a battery is mounted in the floor of the vehicle body, thus freeing up the space traditionally occupied in the front hood by the engine block. The space thus freed up at the front of the electric vehicle is used to create a trunk, for example for luggage.
[0008] In order to meet aesthetic and perceived quality requirements for electric vehicle users, some manufacturers have relocated the filling port of the tank, traditionally accessible by opening the hood, in a lateral or front part of the vehicle's body and made accessible by means of a hatch, which makes filling the tank much more difficult.
[0009] This results in complex tank constructions, formed by the assembly of a large number of parts constituting a bulky and multi-component structure.
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide equipment for motor vehicles allowing the filling of a fluid reservoir whose filling opening is accessible from a side or front body part, more generally a peripheral part, which is ergonomic, easy to use, and which limits the risk of fluid spillage on the bodywork during the filling operation while limiting the number of components. Description of the invention
[0011] The invention relates in particular to equipment for a motor vehicle comprising a tank having a filling neck extending along a main axis and a tank filling element via the neck, characterized in that the element is configured to be mounted to slide inside the neck along said axis between a proximal position of sealing the neck and a distal position allowing remote filling of the tank and in that the element comprises a body having a closed distal end portion and a peripheral wall having a filling opening, the element being configured so that in the proximal position the distal portion forms a plug sealing the neck and in the distal position the filling opening of the element is cleared out of the neck to allow filling of the tank.
[0012] Thanks to the invention, as the opening is clear in the distal position on a peripheral wall of the body of the filling member, filling the tank through the neck is facilitated and can be carried out at a distance from a body wall when the neck of the tank opens onto a side or front wall of the motor vehicle.
[0013] Equipment according to the invention may further include one or more of the following features.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, with the main axis of the neck inclined upwards with respect to a horizontal direction, the organ is configured, at least in its distal position, to be able to tilt downwards with respect to the main axis of the neck.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the equipment includes a means for quickly locking the organ to the neck in the proximal position.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the locking means comprises a male element and a female element capable of being engaged with each other, the male and female elements being carried distinctly by external flanges connected to the neck and the organ.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the locking means being of the bayonet type, the component is pre-assembled to the neck by inserting the male element into the female element and then locked to the neck by rotation around the main axis.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the body has a general cylindrical shape truncated longitudinally, for example semi-cylindrical in shape, presenting a flat face on which the filling opening is provided.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the neck and the organ are provided with a keying feature to impose an upward positioning of the opening in the operating configuration.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the keying device includes an internal partition extending transversely inside the neck and delimiting a cross-section of complementary insertion shape of a cross-section of the tubular organ in a proximal end portion.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the inner wall of the neck further comprises at least one longitudinal rib along the main axis configured to prevent rotation of the organ around the main axis.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the distal end wall includes a circumferential groove for receiving a sealing O-ring.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the sealing wall has a plug shape having a circumferential collar delimiting elements for gripping and manipulating the plug.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the organ is provided in a proximal end part with a stop adapted to cooperate with an internal relief of the reservoir to prevent the organ from disengaging from the neck at the end of the sliding stroke towards the distal position.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the organ body is made by molding from a single piece of synthetic material.
[0026] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising equipment according to the invention, characterized in that the filling equipment is accessible from a hatch mounted on a peripheral body structure, for example lateral or front of the motor vehicle so that one can access this filling equipment from the outside.
[0027] The invention will be better understood and its advantages will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments shown by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0028] [Fig-1] The [Fig. 1] is a partial perspective view of a hatch for a windshield washer fluid reservoir of a motor vehicle comprising equipment according to the invention.
[0029] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the equipment of the [Fig.1] in a proximal obturation position.
[0030] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of the equipment of the [Fig.1] in a distal filling position.
[0031] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a filling element of the equipment according to the invention.
[0032] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] represents an enlarged scale view of a filling neck of a tank of the equipment according to the invention.
[0033] [Fig.6] Fig.6 represents an enlarged scale view of the means for connecting the neck and the filling member of the equipment according to the invention in a freed configuration.
[0034] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] represents three views A, B, C illustrating the different configurations of the connecting means (view A: filling element alone; view B: unlocked, view C: released).
[0035] [Fig.8] The [Fig.8] represents a front view of the neck of the [Fig.5].
[0036] [Fig.9] Fig.9 represents a perspective view of the filling organ in a distal position tilted relative to the neck.
[0037] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] represents three views A, B, C illustrating the different stages of operation of the equipment according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention
[0038] Figures 1 to 10 show a vehicle tank filling system. In the remainder of this description, the system will be referred to by the general reference numeral 10.
[0039] As illustrated in [Fig.1], this equipment 10 is intended to be mounted in a motor vehicle 100. Preferably, the filling equipment 10 is accessible from a hatch 104 mounted on a peripheral body structure 102, for example lateral or front of the motor vehicle 100 so that this filling equipment 10 can be accessed from the outside.
[0040] The filling liquid can be, for example, water or an alcohol-based antifreeze liquid intended for supplying the nozzles.
[0041] In [Fig.1], it can be seen that the hatch 104 includes a hinge 106 for pivoting the hatch allowing access to a location inside which the filling equipment 10 is mounted.
[0042] In the following description, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "upper", "interior", "high", "low" are extended to qualify elements used in the context of using the motor vehicle on a flat horizontal ground.
[0043] According to the invention, the equipment 10 comprises a tank 20, which includes a tank body and a filler neck 22. This neck 22 has, for example, a generally tubular shape extending longitudinally along a principal axis X (see [Fig. 3]), preferably inclined upwards in a configuration mounted in the motor vehicle 100, as illustrated in [Fig. 2]. As illustrated, this neck 22 is provided with a filler opening 24. The inclination of the neck 22 is preferably between 5 and 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane, for example between 25 and 35 degrees.
[0044] The equipment 10 further includes a filling element 30 for the reservoir 20 via the neck 22. As illustrated in [Fig.3], the element 30 is configured to be mounted to slide inside the neck 22 along said axis X between a proximal closing position ([Fig.2]) of the neck 22 and a distal position ([Fig.3]) allowing remote filling of the reservoir 20.
[0045] Preferably, the organ 30 comprises a tubular body 32 having a closed distal end portion 34D and a peripheral wall 36 having a filling opening 40.
[0046] For example, the body 32 has a general cylindrical shape truncated longitudinally, for example semi-cylindrical in shape, presenting a flat face 38 on which the filling opening 40 is provided. Although not illustrated in the figures, the member 30 and the neck 22 may alternatively have a general shape that is not strictly tubular but may instead have any other general shape that allows a complementarity of shape permitting relative sliding along the X axis.
[0047] Preferably, the distal wall 34D is in the form of a plug with a cross-section generally in the shape of a solid disc.
[0048] In addition, preferably, the distal end wall 34D includes a circumferential groove 340 for receiving a sealing O-ring 50. Overall, the distal end wall 34D may, for example, have a circumferential collar 344 delimiting elements 346 for gripping and manipulating the plug 34 and, more generally, the filling member 30. These gripping elements 346 are, for example, in the form of diametrically opposed ears.
[0049] In operation, the organ 30 is configured so that in the proximal position the distal portion 34D forms a plug to seal the neck 22 and in the distal position the filling opening 40 of the organ 30 is cleared out of the neck 22 to allow the filling of the reservoir 20 through this same opening 40.
[0050] The main axis X of the neck 22 being inclined upwards with respect to a horizontal direction, the tubular organ 30 is configured, at least in its distal position, to be able to tilt downwards with respect to the main axis X of the neck 22.
[0051] The filling member 30 further includes a downward-projecting longitudinal rib 35, preferably located along a median line of the semi-cylindrical part 36 of the body 32, which allows the member to be guided along the axial direction.
[0052] Thus, during the sliding of the organ 30 in the neck 22, the rib 35 of the organ 30 defines a longitudinal support line against the inner wall 220 of the neck 22 in the axial direction, allowing the axial guidance of the organ 30 in the neck 22. Preferably, the rib 35 has a tilting notch 37 on a proximal end. The passage of the notch 37 of the rib 35 through the orifice 24 during the sliding of the organ 30 in the axial direction causes the organ 30 to tilt downwards.
[0053] In a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 comprising a means 60 for quickly locking the organ 30 to the neck 22 in the proximal position.
[0054] Preferably, the locking means 60 comprises a male element 420 and a female element 280 adapted to be engaged with each other, the male elements 420 and female elements 280 being carried respectively by external flanges connected to the member 30 and the neck 22. This locking means 60 is preferably releasable to facilitate the locking and unlocking of the equipment 10.
[0055] Thus, the distal portion 34D of the organ 30 is provided with a flange 42 carrying at least one male element 420, for example mushroom-shaped, on its periphery. Furthermore, the neck 22 includes a flange 26 carrying a peripheral orifice 280 for receiving the element 420. The male and female elements are designed to cooperate by clipping, snapping, or any other releasable means of connection.
[0056] Preferably, the locking means 60 is of the bayonet type, the member 30 being pre-assembled to the neck 22 by inserting the protruding pin 420 into the orifice 280 and then locked to the neck 22 by rotation about the main axis X. For example, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], the orifice 280 has a wider portion 282 for the insertion of the pin 420 and a narrower portion 284 connected by a channel 286 that resists the passage of the pin 420 between the two portions. For example, the channel 286 includes a constricted portion.
[0057] As illustrated in [Fig. 8], the neck 22 and the member 30 are provided with a keying feature 70 to ensure that the opening is positioned upwards in the operating configuration. For example, the keying feature includes an internal partition 72 extending transversely inside the neck 22 and defining a cross-section with an insertion shape complementary to a cross-section of the tubular member 30. The partition 72 has, for example, a general shape of a truncated disc, for example centered on the X-axis.
[0058] The inner wall 220 of the neck 22 further comprises at least one longitudinal rib 224 along the principal axis X configured to prevent rotation of the member 30 about the principal axis X. Preferably, as illustrated in [Fig. 8], the inner wall 220 comprises two ribs 224 extending from the anti-rotation partition 72. These ribs 224 are positioned on either side of an axis of symmetry of the anti-rotation partition 72.
[0059] As seen in [Fig.4], the tubular organ 30 is provided in a proximal end part 34P with a stop 360 adapted to cooperate with an internal relief 202 of the reservoir 20 to prevent the organ from disengaging from the neck 22 at the end of the sliding stroke towards the distal position.
[0060] For example, the body 32 of the organ 30 is made by a one-piece molding of synthetic material.
[0061] We will now describe, with reference to figures 1 to 10, the main aspects of operation of equipment according to the invention.
[0062] In the initial state, the equipment is in a closed configuration. The filler plug seals the filler in its proximal position. The bayonet connecting means 60 are in a locked configuration, with the pin 420 housed in the narrower part of the orifice 280.
[0063] To fill the tank 20, the user opens the hatch of the motor vehicle which may be located on a side or front wall of the motor vehicle, in the illustrated case, it is the front wall.
[0064] Then, the user grasps the gripping collar of the organ 30 in order to cause the organ 30 to pivot inside the neck 22. In the illustrated example, the user perceives an effort to overcome in order to cause the pin 420 to move inside the orifice 280 and thus unlock the means 60.
[0065] Once the filling member 30 is unlocked from the reservoir 20, the member is slid inside the neck 22 to a distal position along its longitudinal rib 35.
[0066] In this distal position, thanks to the tilting notch 37, the filling member 30 can be tilted slightly in order to bring the inclination of the member 30 closer to a horizontal plane and thus facilitate filling through the opening 40. The tilting also allows the notch 37 to come into contact with the external face of the flange 26, thus creating a retention and preventing the member 30 from returning to the proximal position by its own weight.
[0067] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Other embodiments within the grasp of a person skilled in the art may also be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims.
Claims
Demands
1. Equipment (10) for a motor vehicle (100) comprising a tank (20) having a filling neck (22) extending along a principal axis (X) and a filling element (30) for the tank (20) via the neck (22), characterized in that the element (30) is configured to be slidably mounted inside the neck (22) along said axis (X) between a proximal position for closing the neck (22) and a distal position allowing remote filling of the tank (20) and in that the element (30) comprises a body (32) having a closed distal end portion (34D) and a peripheral wall (36) having a filling opening (40),the organ (30) being configured so that in the proximal position the distal end portion (34D) forms a plug sealing the neck (22) and in the distal position the filling opening (40) of the organ (30) is clear of the neck (22) to allow filling of the reservoir (20) and in that, the main axis (X) of the neck (22) being inclined upwards with respect to a horizontal direction, the organ (30) is configured, at least in its distal position, to be able to tilt downwards with respect to the main axis (X) of the neck (22).
2. Equipment (10) according to the preceding claim, comprising a means (60) for quickly locking the organ (30) to the neck (22) in the proximal position.
3. Equipment (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking means (60) comprises a male element (420) and a female element (280) capable of being engaged with each other, the male (420) and female (280) elements being carried distinctly by external flanges (26, 42) connected to the neck (22) and to the organ (30).
4. Equipment (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking means (60) being of the bayonet type, the member (30) is pre-assembled to the neck (22) by insertion of the male element (420) into the female element (280) and then locked to the neck (22) by rotation around the main axis (X).
5. Equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (32) has a generally cylindrical shape truncated longitudinally, for example of a semi- cylindrical, presenting a flat face (38) on which the filling opening (40) is provided.
6. Equipment (10) according to any one of the claims, wherein the neck (22) and the member (30) are provided with a keying device (70) to impose a positioning of the opening (40) upwards in the configuration of use.
7. Equipment (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the keying device (70) comprises an internal partition (72) extending transversely inside the neck (22) and delimiting a cross-section of complementary insertion shape of a cross-section of the tubular organ (30) in a proximal end portion (34P).
8. Equipment (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein an internal wall (220) of the neck (22) further comprises at least one longitudinal rib (224) along the principal axis (X) configured to prevent rotation of the component (30) around the principal axis (X).
9. Equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distal end portion (34D) comprises a circumferential groove (340) for receiving a sealing O-ring (50).
10. Equipment (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the distal end portion (34D) has a cap shape having a circumferential collar (344) delimiting elements (346) for gripping and manipulating the cap.
11. Equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the organ (30) is provided in a proximal end portion (34P) with a stop (360) adapted to cooperate with an internal relief (202) of the reservoir (20) to prevent the organ (30) from disengaging from the neck (22) at the end of the sliding stroke towards the distal position.
12. Equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the body (32) of the component (30) is made by a one-piece molding of synthetic material.
13. A motor vehicle (100) comprising equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling equipment (10) is accessible from a hatch (104) mounted on a peripheral body structure, for example, a lateral or front one, of the motor vehicle (100) so that one can access this filling equipment (10) from the outside.