Passive venting valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a passive venting valve (1) designed to ensure the pressurization and venting of a fluid reservoir (FT), said passive venting valve comprising: - an inlet (2); - a first outlet (3); - a main conduit (4) fluidly connecting the inlet (2) to the first outlet (3); - a second outlet (9);- a self-retaining valve (7) arranged on an auxiliary conduit (6) bypassing the inlet check valve (5) of the main conduit (4), the self-retaining valve (7) comprising a diaphragm designed to assume an open or closed position, the closed position preventing venting of the fluid reservoir (FT) as long as the pressure difference between a first face (8a) and a second face (8b) of said diaphragm is less than a predetermined value, while the open position allows venting of the fluid reservoir (FT) as soon as said pressure difference is greater than the predetermined value. Figure: Fig ure 1;

Description

Title of the invention: Passive venting valve FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of fluidic systems, in particular for pressurizing and venting a tank. More specifically, the invention relates to a passive venting valve.

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Motor vehicles are now equipped with numerous sensors or cameras (hereinafter "sensors") for driver assistance purposes. These sensors are located all around the perimeter of the vehicle, for example in the bumpers and / or side skirts, and thus provide the driver or the driving software with a complete view of the environment in which the vehicle is located.

[0004] However, these sensors, being exposed to the environment, are susceptible to becoming covered with dirt or dust and, consequently, their performance may be degraded. Frequent cleaning of these sensors is therefore necessary to guarantee their performance.

[0005] In this regard, motor vehicles can be equipped with a cleaning system, in particular with pipes and nozzles for the distribution of cleaning fluids.

[0006] Furthermore, effective cleaning of the sensor surface requires the distribution of the cleaning fluid under pressure from a fluid reservoir. In this regard, the cleaning system supplied in motor vehicles may be equipped with a gas pressure source designed to build up pressure in the fluid reservoir.

[0007] However, such a configuration may require specific functionalities, in particular the implementation of a venting module to vent the fluid tank to the atmosphere when it needs to be filled with a fluid.

[0008] Documents FR2684162 Bl, EP554535 Al, US3436273 A and DE806301 C describe safety valves capable of venting a fluid reservoir to the atmosphere. However, the devices described in these documents would require the implementation of additional components, such as valves, in the cleaning system, which would make said system complicated and bulky.

[0009] The present invention therefore aims to provide a compact device capable of pressurizing and venting a fluid reservoir.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of pressurizing and venting a fluid reservoir which limits the number of valves required for its use.

[0011] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The aforementioned objects of the present invention are, at least partially, reached by a passive venting valve designed to pressurize and vent a fluid reservoir, said passive venting valve comprising:

[0013] - an inlet for connecting a pressurized gas pressure source;

[0014] - a first outlet for connecting a fluid reservoir;

[0015] - a main conduit fluidly connecting the inlet to the first outlet, the main conduit being equipped with a non-return valve, called the inlet non-return valve;

[0016] - a second exit;

[0017] - a self-retaining valve arranged on an auxiliary conduit bypassing the valve main conduit inlet non-return valve, the self-retaining valve comprising a diaphragm designed to adopt either an open position or a closed position, the closed position preventing venting of the fluid reservoir as long as the pressure difference between a first face and a second face of said diaphragm is less than a predetermined value, while the open position permitting venting of the fluid reservoir as soon as said pressure difference is greater than the predetermined value.

[0018] According to one embodiment, said passive venting valve further comprises a pinhole structure coupled to the self-retaining valve and designed to equalize the pressure on one side and the other of the diaphragm as long as the fluid pressure is less than the predetermined pressure.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the second outlet is further provided with a non-return valve, called an outlet non-return valve.

[0020] According to one embodiment, said passive venting valve comprises a main body, the main conduit, formed in the volume of the main body, comprises, from the inlet to the first outlet, a first section and a second section, the first section extending along a first direction and the second section extending along a second direction not parallel to the first direction, the auxiliary conduit, also formed in the volume of the body, extends along an auxiliary direction from a first passage, formed between the first section and the auxiliary conduit, to the second outlet, the auxiliary conduit housing the self-retentive valve coaxially, the passive venting valve further comprises a second passage fluidly connecting the second section to the auxiliary conduit.

[0021] According to one embodiment, said passive venting valve further comprises, located downstream of the self-retaining valve along the auxiliary direction, an auxiliary fluidic assembly designed to cooperate with the diaphragm when said membrane is in closed position, the auxiliary fluidic assembly comprising a central auxiliary element extending, along the auxiliary direction, from a contact end to an outlet end, the central auxiliary element comprising a first auxiliary part, having a bore, and a second auxiliary part, the second auxiliary part forming the outlet check valve.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the first auxiliary part includes, on its lateral surface, a ring delimiting, with the membrane, an accumulation chamber in the auxiliary conduit into which the second passage opens.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the first auxiliary part includes a free end through which the bore opens, the membrane, in the closed position, is designed to close the bore by settling on a contour delimiting the opening of said bore.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the self-retaining valve further comprises a spring element designed to force the diaphragm into its closed position, the spring element advantageously comprising a spring and a piston.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the pinhole structure includes at least one pinhole formed on the self-retaining valve and fluidly connecting the bore and the first passage.

[0026] According to one embodiment, said passive venting valve further comprises a main fitting, the main fitting being at least partially located coaxially in the first section, the main fitting having along the first direction a bore section and a check valve section, the bore section comprising a bore and a lateral opening cooperating with the first passage, and the check valve section supporting the main check valve.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the auxiliary fluidic assembly further comprises an auxiliary fitting, having an elongated shape along the auxiliary direction, the auxiliary fitting comprising a bore in which the central auxiliary element is fixed coaxially.

[0028] The invention also relates to a fluidic assembly comprising:

[0029] - at least two passive venting valves, according to the present invention, refer to them respectively as first device and second device;

[0030] - a gas pressure source;

[0031] - a first liquid reservoir having an inlet connected to the first outlet of the first device;

[0032] - a second liquid reservoir having an inlet connected to the first exit from the second device;

[0033] - an outlet valve having an inlet connected to the first outlets of the first and second device;

[0034] - a first inlet valve and a second inlet valve.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the first inlet valve comprises an inlet connected to the air reservoir, an outlet connected to the inlet of the first device and another outlet connected to an inlet of the second inlet valve, an outlet of the second two-way valve being connected to the inlet of the second device.

[0036] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one fluidic assembly according to the present invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0037] Other features and advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description of the passive vent valve according to the invention, provided by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0038] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation of the vent valve free passive according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the vent valve free passive according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of a fluidic assembly according to the present invention;

[0041] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a specific configuration of the setting valve passive open air;

[0042] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the passive venting valve of [Fig.4];

[0043] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional view of the passive venting valve of [Fig.4];

[0044] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary fluidic assembly of the passive vent valve of the [Fig.4];

[0045] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a cross-sectional view of the main fitting of the passive vent valve of [Fig.4]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] In the descriptive part, the same reference numerals in the drawings may be used for elements of the same type. The drawings are schematic representations which, for reasons of legibility, are not necessarily to scale.

[0047] The present invention relates to a passive venting valve designed to pressurize and vent a fluid reservoir, said passive venting valve comprising:

[0048] - an inlet for connecting a gas pressure source;

[0049] - a first outlet for connecting a fluid reservoir;

[0050] - a main conduit fluidly connecting the inlet to the first outlet, the main conduit being equipped with a non-return valve, called the inlet non-return valve;

[0051] - a second exit;

[0052] - a self-retaining valve arranged on an auxiliary conduit bypassing the valve main conduit inlet non-return valve, the self-retaining valve comprising a diaphragm designed to adopt either an open position or a closed position, the closed position preventing venting of the fluid reservoir as long as the pressure difference between a first face and a second face of said diaphragm is less than a predetermined value, while the open position permits venting of the fluid reservoir as soon as said pressure difference is greater than the predetermined value.

[0053] The passive venting valve is designed to fluidly connect the gas pressure source to the fluid reservoir, allowing pressure to build up and venting as needed. Notably, venting is made possible by the self-retaining valve arranged on the auxiliary line bypassing the inlet check valve.

[0054] This configuration is quite advantageous in that it limits the need for additional components, in particular the number of additional valves required.

[0055] As will be seen later, an outlet valve (connected to the second outlet) can be shared with a plurality of passive venting valves.

[0056] The gas pressure may include, without limiting the invention to these aspects alone, a gas tank, a pressurization pump.

[0057] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the passive vent valve 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] In particular, the passive venting valve 1 includes an inlet 2 designed to be connected to a gas pressure source associated with a first inlet valve IV1. For example, and as illustrated in [Fig. 1], the gas pressure source may include a gas tank GT containing pressurized gas. Alternatively, a pressure pump may be used to supply compressed air at the inlet 2.

[0059] The passive venting valve 1 includes a first outlet 3 for connecting said passive venting valve 1 to the inlet of a fluid reservoir FT.

[0060] The passive venting valve 1 comprises a main conduit 4 fluidly connecting the inlet 2 to the first outlet 3. The main conduit 4 is provided with a check valve, referred to as the inlet check valve 5. Notably, the The inlet check valve 5 is designed to prevent fluid from flowing from the fluid reservoir FT to the gas pressure source.

[0061] The passive venting valve 1 further includes an auxiliary conduit 6 bypassing the inlet check valve 5. The passive venting valve 1 also includes a self-retaining valve 7 disposed on the auxiliary conduit 6. In particular, the self-retaining valve 7 includes a diaphragm designed to assume either an open position or a closed position. In particular, the closed position prevents venting of the fluid reservoir as long as the pressure difference between a first face 8a and a second face 8b of said diaphragm is less than a predetermined value, while the open position allows venting of the fluid reservoir, through a second outlet 9 of the passive venting valve 1, as soon as said pressure difference exceeds the predetermined value. An outlet valve OV may be connected to the second outlet 9..

[0062] The passive venting valve 1 may also include a pinhole structure coupled to the self-retaining valve 7 and designed to balance the pressure on one side and the other of the diaphragm as long as the fluid pressure is less than the predetermined pressure.

[0063] A pinhole structure 10, as defined in the present invention, is a structure that imposes a pressure drop. Notably, and as shown in [Fig. 1], the pinhole structure can be arranged in a lateral conduit 11 fluidically connecting the inlet 2 and the second outlet 9. Alternatively, the pinhole structure 10 can also be formed in the membrane.

[0064] The passive venting valve 1, as described above, has two modes of operation called, respectively, pressurization mode and venting mode.

[0065] The pressurization mode is used to pressurize a fluid in the fluid tank FT while the venting mode is used to vent the fluid tank FT to the air before filling it with a fluid.

[0066] In pressurization mode, the pressure in the fluid reservoir FT is accumulated by the opening of valve IV1 and the closing of valve OV. In this mode, the pressure difference between the two sides of the diaphragm is equalized so that the self-retaining valve remains in the closed position.

[0067] In venting mode, valve IV1 is closed while valve OV is open. In this mode, the inlet check valve 5 isolates the second face 8b of the membrane 8 from the fluid reservoir FT, so that the pressure on the second face 8b of the membrane 8 can be reduced via the pinhole structure. This pressure drop on the second face 8b triggers the opening of the self-retaining valve and, consequently, the venting of the FT fluid reservoir.

[0068] Figure 2 represents a second embodiment of the passive venting valve according to the present invention. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the second outlet 9 is further provided with a check valve, referred to as the outlet check valve. According to the second embodiment, a plurality of passive venting valves can be implemented with a single gas pressure source.

[0069] By way of non-limiting example, [Fig.3] represents a fluidic assembly which includes at least two passive venting valves, and notably two passive venting valves referred to respectively as first device 1a and second device 1b.

[0070] In particular, the gas pressure source is fluidly connected to the inlet of the first device 1a and to the inlet of the second device 1b, respectively, via a first inlet valve IV1 and a second inlet valve. In this example, the first inlet valve IV1 directly connects the gas pressure source to the first device 1a, and the second inlet valve IV2 directly connects the gas pressure source to the second device 1b.

[0071] The first outlet of the first device is connected to a fluid reservoir, called first reservoir FT1, while the first outlet of the second device is connected to a fluid reservoir, called second fluid reservoir FT2.

[0072] The outlet valve OV is connected to the outlets of the first device la and the second device 1b. The implementation of outlet check valves on each of the first and second devices allows the pressurization and venting of each of the first device la and the second device 1b to be carried out independently.

[0073] Fig. 4 represents a specific configuration of the passive vent valve 1.

[0074] According to this specific configuration, the passive venting valve 1 comprises a main body 100 ([Fig.4] and [Fig.5]).

[0075] In particular, the main conduit 4, formed within the volume of the main body 100, comprises, from the inlet 2 to the first outlet 3, a first section 101 and a second section 102. The first section extends along a first direction XX' and the second section extends along a second direction YY' not parallel to the first direction. For example, the second direction YY' is perpendicular to the first direction XX'. The auxiliary conduit 6, also formed within the volume of the body 100, extends along an auxiliary direction ZZ' from from a first passage 103, formed between the first section 101 and the auxiliary conduit 8, towards the second exit 9.

[0076] The auxiliary conduit 6, as shown in [Fig.6], houses the self-retaining valve 7 coaxially.

[0077] A second passage 104 fluidly connects the second section 102 to the auxiliary conduit 6.

[0078] The passive venting valve 1 further includes, located downstream of the self-retaining valve along the auxiliary direction ZZ', an auxiliary fluidic assembly 105 ([Fig.6] and [Fig.7]).

[0079] Notably, the auxiliary fluidic assembly 105 is designed to cooperate with the membrane 8 when said membrane is in the closed position. In this respect, the auxiliary fluidic assembly 105 comprises a central auxiliary element 106 which extends, along the auxiliary direction ZZ', from a contact end 106a to an outlet end 106b.

[0080] The central auxiliary element 106 comprises a first auxiliary part 107, having a bore 107a, and a second auxiliary part 108, the second auxiliary part forming the outlet check valve 12. In particular, the second auxiliary part has a cylindrical shape with lateral openings closed by a flexible membrane 110 formed around the second auxiliary part 108. When a pressurized gas flows into the bore 107a, the gas deforms the flexible membrane 110 and exits through the outlet end 106b.

[0081] The first auxiliary part 107a includes, on its lateral surface, a ring 111 delimiting, with the membrane 8, an accumulation chamber 112 in the auxiliary conduit 6 into which the second passage 104 opens.

[0082] The first auxiliary part 107a comprises a free end through which the bore opens; the diaphragm, in the closed position, is designed to seal the bore by settling on a contour defining the opening of said bore. In other words, said contour forms a seat against which the diaphragm settles when it is in the closed position.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the self-retaining valve further comprises a spring element 113 designed to force the diaphragm 8 into its closed position. The spring element 113 may comprise a spring 114 and a piston 115 in a sliding connection within the auxiliary conduit 6. In particular, the spring 114 is designed to push the piston against the second face 8b of the diaphragm 8, so that the diaphragm 8 is by default in its closed position.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the pinhole structure 10 comprises at least one pinhole formed on the self-retaining valve and fluidly connecting the bore 107a and the first passage 103. In particular, a pinhole 10 may be formed at the center of the membrane 8 (of course, a pinhole is also provided on the piston corresponding to the pinhole 10).

[0085] The passive venting valve 1 may further include a main connection 115 ([Fig. 8]). Notably, the main connection 115 is, at least partially, located coaxially in the first section, the main connection having, along the first direction, a bore section 116 and a check valve section 117. The bore section 116 includes a bore 116a and lateral openings 116b cooperating with the first passage 103, and the check valve section 117 supports the main check valve 5. The check valve section 117 is similar to the outlet check valve 12.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the auxiliary fluidic assembly 105 further includes an auxiliary fitting 118, having an elongated shape along the auxiliary direction, the auxiliary fitting including a bore 119 in which the central auxiliary element is fixed coaxially.

[0087] The invention also relates to a fluidic assembly comprising:

[0088] - at least two passive venting valves, according to the present invention, refer to them respectively as first device and second device;

[0089] - a gas pressure source;

[0090] - a first liquid reservoir having an inlet connected to the first outlet of the first device;

[0091] - a second liquid reservoir having an inlet connected to the first exit from the second device;

[0092] - an outlet valve having an inlet connected to the first outlets of the first and second device;

[0093] - a first inlet valve and a second inlet valve.

[0094] An advantageous embodiment, the first inlet valve includes an inlet connected to the air reservoir, an outlet connected to the inlet of the first device and another outlet connected to an inlet of the second inlet valve, an outlet of the second two-way valve being connected to the inlet of the second device.

[0095] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one fluidic assembly according to the present invention.

[0096] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and alternative embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Passive venting valve (1) designed to ensure the pressurization and venting of a fluid reservoir (FT), said passive venting valve comprising: - an inlet (2) for the connection of a gas pressure source; - a first outlet (3) for the connection of a fluid reservoir (FT); - a main conduit (4) fluidly connecting the inlet (2) to the first outlet (3), the main conduit (4) being provided with a check valve, referred to as the inlet check valve (5); - a second outlet (9);- a self-retaining valve (7) arranged on an auxiliary conduit (6) bypassing the inlet check valve (5) of the main conduit (4), the self-retaining valve (7) comprising a diaphragm designed to adopt either an open position or a closed position, the closed position preventing the venting of the fluid reservoir (FT) as long as the pressure difference between a first face (8a) and a second face (8b) of said diaphragm is less than a predetermined value, while the open position allows the venting of the fluid reservoir (FT) as soon as said pressure difference is greater than the predetermined value.;

2. Passive venting valve (1) according to claim 1, wherein said passive venting valve (1) further comprises a pinhole structure (10) coupled to the self-retentive valve (7) and designed to equalize the pressure on both sides of the diaphragm as long as the fluid pressure is less than the predetermined pressure.

3. Passive venting valve (1) according to claim 2, wherein the second outlet (9) is further provided with a check valve, referred to as the outlet check valve.

4. Passive venting valve (1) according to claim 3, wherein said passive venting valve (1) comprises a main body (100), the main conduit (4), formed within the volume of the main body (100), comprising, from the inlet (2) to the first outlet (3), a first section (101) and a second section (102), the first section (101) extending along of a first direction and the second section (102) extending along a second direction not parallel to the first direction, the auxiliary conduit (6), also formed in the volume of the body, extends along an auxiliary direction from a first passage (103), formed between the first section (101) and the auxiliary conduit (6), to the second outlet (9), the auxiliary conduit (6) housing the self-retentive valve (7) coaxially, the passive venting valve (1) further includes a second passage (104) fluidly connecting the second section (102) to the auxiliary conduit (6).

5. Passive venting valve (1) according to claim 4, wherein said passive venting valve (1) further comprises, located downstream of the self-retaining valve (7) along the auxiliary direction, an auxiliary fluidic assembly (106) designed to cooperate with the diaphragm when said diaphragm is in the closed position, the auxiliary fluidic assembly (106) comprising a central auxiliary element (106) extending, along the auxiliary direction, from a contact end to an outlet end, the central auxiliary element (106) comprising a first auxiliary part (107), having a bore, and a second auxiliary part (108), the second auxiliary part (108) forming the outlet check valve.

6. Passive venting valve (1) according to claim 5, wherein the first auxiliary part (107) comprises, on its lateral surface, a ring (111) delimiting, with the diaphragm, an accumulation chamber (112) in the auxiliary conduit (6) into which the second passage (104) opens.

7. Passive venting valve (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first auxiliary part (107) includes a free end through which the bore (107a) opens, the diaphragm, in the closed position, is designed to close the bore (107a) by settling on a contour delimiting the opening of said bore (107a).

8. Passive venting valve (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the self-retaining valve (7) further comprises a spring element (113) designed to force the diaphragm into its closed position, the spring element (113) advantageously comprising a spring (114) and a piston (115).

9. Passive venting valve (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the pinhole structure (10) comprises at least one pinhole formed on the self-retaining valve (7) and fluidly connecting the bore (107a) and the first passage (103).

10. Passive venting valve (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein said passive venting valve (1) further comprises a main fitting (115), the main fitting (115) being at least partially located coaxially in the first section (101), the main fitting (115) having along the first direction a bore section (116) and a check valve section (117), the bore section (116) comprising a bore and a lateral opening cooperating with the first passage (103), and the check valve section (117) supporting the main check valve.

11. Passive venting valve (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the auxiliary fluidic assembly (106) further comprises an auxiliary fitting, having an elongated shape along the auxiliary direction, the auxiliary fitting comprising a bore in which the central auxiliary element (106) is fixed coaxially.

12. Fluidic assembly comprising: - at least two passive venting valves (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 11, referred to respectively as first device and second device; - a gas pressure source; - a first liquid reservoir having an inlet (2) connected to the first outlet (3) of the first device; - a second liquid reservoir having an inlet connected to the first outlet (3) of the second device; - an outlet valve (OV) having an inlet connected to the first outlets (3) of the first and second devices; - a first inlet valve (IV1) and a second inlet valve.

13. Fluidic assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first inlet valve (IV1) comprises an inlet connected to the air reservoir, an outlet connected to the inlet of the first device, and another outlet connected to an inlet of the second valve 13 inlet (IV2), an outlet of the second two-way valve being connected to the inlet of the second device.

14. Motor vehicle comprising at least one fluidic assembly according to claim 12 or 13.

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