Adjustable liquid volume limit valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid volume limit valve (14) for a fluid reservoir in a motor vehicle, comprising: - a valve body (20) for mounting on an upper wall (16) of a fluid reservoir, - a movable sleeve, which, under the action of the fluid in the fluid reservoir, moves between a lower position allowing the addition of fluid to the reservoir and an upper obstruction position preventing the addition of fluid to the reservoir, a lower end of the movable sleeve defining a maximum liquid volume level in the fluid reservoir, wherein the limit valve (14) further comprises a device for adjusting the upper obstruction position along the extension direction so as to vary the maximum liquid volume level in the fluid reservoir. Figure for the abstract: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Adjustable liquid volume limit valve technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the regulation of the volume of liquid in a reservoir of a motor vehicle.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a liquid volume limit valve for such a liquid reservoir, for example a fuel tank or a urea tank. Technological background

[0003] Liquid volume limit valves exist for controlling and limiting the volume of liquid in a motor vehicle's tank. These valves are arranged on these tanks in such a way as to ensure compliance with regulatory or operational requirements for tank filling.

[0004] The limit valve is a device whose function is to control and limit the volume of liquid in a tank to ensure that it cannot be filled beyond a maximum capacity.

[0005] Known volume limit valves generally comprise a valve body having an inlet port, a discharge port, and a cavity connecting the inlet and discharge ports. The inlet port is located in the liquid reservoir. This liquid reservoir is, for example, a fuel tank or a urea tank. The discharge port is connected to a vent pipe or hose to allow circulation of the gases present in the reservoir. A float is located in the cavity of the valve body to prevent the liquid contained in the reservoir from flowing through the discharge port during a critical reservoir orientation, for example, in the event of a vehicle rollover.

[0006] The dimension of the valve body along a vertical axis defines the maximum volume level of liquid in the liquid reservoir.

[0007] A major problem is that each tank has a different geometry and dimensions, particularly along a vertical axis. Furthermore, the maximum permissible liquid level in a tank depends on the type of liquid. Therefore, a liquid limit valve is application-specific for a given tank geometry. This results in significant production costs and necessitates designing a new valve geometry for each new tank.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a liquid volume limit valve that is more flexible in its design and allows for a reduction in production costs. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention provides for this purpose a liquid volume limiting valve for a fluid reservoir of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a valve body intended to be mounted on an upper wall of a liquid reservoir, the valve body defining at least one inlet port intended to be in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir and one outlet port intended to be connected to a vent hose, the valve body extending along an extension direction intended to be oriented along a vertical axis when the limit valve is in an operating position, - a movable sleeve, under the action of the liquid disposed in the liquid reservoir, between a lower position allowing the addition of liquid into the reservoir and an upper obstruction position prohibiting the addition of liquid into the reservoir, a lower end of the movable sleeve defining a maximum level of liquid volume in the liquid reservoir, the limit valve further includes a device for adjusting the upper obstruction position along the extension direction so as to vary the maximum level of liquid volume in the liquid reservoir.

[0010] The structure of the limit valve allowing adjustment of the upper obstruction position thus allows a variation of the maximum volume level of liquid in the tank to adapt to tanks of different geometry and / or different liquids.

[0011] The tank can be a fuel tank or a urea tank.

[0012] The limit valve is preferably mounted on the liquid reservoir so that the The direction of extension is aligned with a vertical axis.

[0013] The upper obstruction position adjustment device is preferably configured to allow a plurality of upper obstruction positions. In particular, the upper obstruction position adjustment device is preferably configured to allow at least three upper obstruction positions. The three upper obstruction positions include a minimum position, a maximum position, and at least one intermediate position.

[0014] According to one aspect of the limit valve, the movable sleeve is configured to move in translation between the lower and upper obstruction positions along the extension direction. Thus, the movement of the movable sleeve is directly along the extension direction to act directly on the maximum liquid volume level. The lower end of the sleeve can therefore be used to define this maximum liquid volume level according to its movement along the extension direction.

[0015] According to one aspect of the limit valve, the adjusting device forms a stop configured to prevent the movable sleeve from moving beyond the upper obstruction position. Using a stop to define the upper obstruction position ensures robustness in the maximum level setting.

[0016] According to one aspect of the limit valve, the stop is a removable stop to allow adjustment of the upper obstruction position, the valve body comprising a plurality of housings for receiving this removable stop. It is thus possible to easily modify the upper obstruction position according to the geometry of the tank and / or the nature of the liquid in the tank.

[0017] According to one aspect of the limit valve, the adjustment device includes a washer forming the removable stop. A washer is an easy solution to implement and particularly suited to a tubular configuration. A plurality of notches can allow different positions to be defined for this stop.

[0018] According to one aspect of the limit valve, the valve body comprises: - a tubular outer wall extending along the direction of extension to form an internal cavity, and - a regulating tube disposed in the internal cavity, said tube having at least one inlet orifice formed in a wall of the regulating tube to connect the interior of the tank with the discharge orifice, the free sleeve being positioned in the internal cavity between the outer tubular wall and the regulating tube.

[0019] According to one aspect of the limit valve, an annular space is formed along the extension direction between the tubular outer wall and the regulating tube, the movable sleeve forming a portion of tube in complementary shape with this annular space so as to obstruct this annular space along the extension direction when the movable sleeve is in the upper obstruction position.

[0020] The movable sleeve can thus slide within the valve body between the outer wall of the valve body and the regulating tube.

[0021] According to one aspect of the limit valve, the control tube forms an open tube at each end, the limit valve further comprising a float disposed inside the control tube and obstructing the circulation of a liquid from one end of the control tube to another end of the control tube.

[0022] According to one aspect of the limit valve, the movable sleeve is guided by the valve body during its movement between the lower and upper obstruction positions.

[0023] According to one aspect of the limit valve, one of the movable sleeve and the valve body comprises a projecting portion configured to be guided inside a guide light extending along the extension direction to allow guidance of the movable sleeve relative to the valve body.

[0024] A motor vehicle is also proposed comprising a liquid reservoir forming an upper wall in which a valve orifice is formed and a liquid volume limit valve as described above mounted in this valve orifice. Brief description of the figures

[0025] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will clearly explain what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the accompanying figures:

[0026] [Fig-1] The [Fig. 1] represents a perspective and transparent view of a motor vehicle comprising a tank equipped with a liquid volume limit valve;

[0027] [Fig.2] Fig.2 represents a perspective view of an example of a tank similar to Fig.1 and equipped with a liquid volume limit valve;

[0028] [Fig.3] Fig.3 represents a perspective view of an embodiment of a limit valve for a liquid reservoir;

[0029] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] represents a perspective and exploded view of the limit valve of the [Fig.3];

[0030] [Fig.5] Fig.5 represents a cross-sectional view of the limit valve of Fig.3 comprising a movable sleeve and a device for adjusting the upper obstruction position of this movable sleeve to define a maximum liquid level in the tank;

[0031] [Fig.6] Fig.6 represents a detailed view of a first adjustment of the position of the movable sleeve allowing a first maximum level of liquid;

[0032] [Fig.7] Fig.7 represents a detailed view of a second adjustment of the position of the movable sleeve allowing a second maximum liquid level;

[0033] [Fig.8] Fig.8 represents a detailed view of a third setting of the position of the movable sleeve allowing a third maximum level of liquid; Description of method(s) of implementation

[0034] For the sake of clarity, the same references designating the same elements according to the state of the art and according to the invention are used for all figures.

[0035] The concept of the invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the concept of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of the elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Similar numbers refer to similar elements in all drawings. However, this concept of the invention may be put implemented in many different forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments described here. Instead, these embodiments are offered so as to make this description complete and to communicate the scope of the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0036] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Moreover, the term "including" does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0037] With reference to [Fig. 1], a motor vehicle 10 is shown. The motor vehicle 1 includes a tank 12, here intended to receive fuel.

[0038] The motor vehicle 10 further includes a limit valve 14 mounted in a valve orifice (not visible) of an upper wall 16 of the tank 12.

[0039] With reference to [Fig.2], an example of a tank 12 is shown in more detail with the limit valve 14 mounted on the upper wall 16 of this tank 12. The limit valve 14 is connected to a vent line 18 allowing the circulation of the gas present in the tank 12.

[0040] With reference to figures 3 and 4, the limit valve 14 includes a valve body 20 intended to be mounted on the upper wall 16 of the tank 12.

[0041] The valve body 20 extends along an extension direction A intended to be aligned with a vertical axis when the limit valve 14 is disposed on the upper wall 16 of the tank 12.

[0042] The valve body 20 defines a discharge port 22 intended to be connected to a vent hose. The valve body 20 also defines at least one inlet port 24 to allow the gas present in the tank to flow towards the discharge port 22.

[0043] Said at least one inlet port 24 is intended to be disposed in the reservoir 12. The valve body 20 preferably comprises a plurality of inlet ports 24 distributed along and / or around the extension direction A.

[0044] A circulation channel 33 is formed between said at least one inlet port 24 and said discharge port 22. The circulation channel 33 preferably extends at least partially along the extension direction A.

[0045] Said at least one inlet port 24 defines an inlet axis B. The inlet axis B is preferably perpendicular to the extension direction A. From in a particular way, is preferably oriented perpendicular to the intake axis B is preferably radial to the extension direction A.

[0046] The valve body 20 comprises a tubular outer wall 26 extending along the extension direction A to form an internal cavity. The outer wall 26 preferably has a circular cross-section so that the internal cavity is cylindrical with a circular base.

[0047] The valve body 20 also includes a regulating tube 28 disposed in this internal cavity. The regulating tube preferably extends along the extension direction A.

[0048] Said at least one inlet port 24 is formed in a wall of the regulating tube 28 to communicate the interior of the tank 12 with the discharge port 22.

[0049] The regulating tube 28 is preferably a perforated tube defining said at least one inlet orifice 24. Preferably, the regulating tube 28 comprises several inlet orifices 24 arranged at different positions along the extension direction A so as to define different entry points in the limit valve 14 along this extension direction A.

[0050] The regulating tube 28 preferably has a circular cross-section. An annular space 30 (visible in [Fig.5]) is thus present between the regulating tube 28 and the external wall 26 of the valve body 20.

[0051] The limit valve 14 also includes a float 32 disposed inside the regulating tube 28 to prevent liquid from flowing to the discharge port through the regulating tube 28, particularly in the event of the tank 12 being inverted. The float 32 can move along the extension direction A to close the circulation channel 33 so as to completely block any flow to the discharge port 22. A sealing gasket 35 can be disposed on the float to improve the seal between the float 32 and a wall of the circulation channel 33.

[0052] The limit valve 14 further includes a movable sleeve 38 disposed in the annular space 34 between the regulating tube 28 and the outer wall 26. The movable sleeve 38 is configured to move in translation along the extension direction A under the action of the liquid present in the reservoir.

[0053] The movable sleeve 38 is in particular configured to be movable between a lower position allowing the addition of liquid into the reservoir and an upper obstruction position prohibiting the addition of liquid into the reservoir 12 in which a lower end of the movable sleeve 38 defines a maximum level of liquid volume in the liquid reservoir 12.

[0054] The limit valve 14 further includes a device for adjusting the upper obstruction position along the extension direction A so as to vary the maximum volume level of liquid in the liquid reservoir.

[0055] This adjustment device includes, for example, a stop configured to prevent the movement of the movable sleeve 38 beyond the upper obstruction position.

[0056] This stop is for example made in the form of a washer 40 disposed in the annular space 34 and fixed to the valve body 20.

[0057] The movable sleeve 38 is also preferably guided in translation by the valve body 20. The movable sleeve may include one or more projecting portions 42 configured to be guided by a light or slot 44 formed in the outer wall 26.

[0058] The guidance of the movable sleeve 38 on the valve body 20 preferably defines the maximum possible stroke of the movable sleeve along the extension axis A, with the adjustment device as the upper limit.

[0059] With reference to Figures 6 to 8, the limit valve 14 is shown in a state in which the usable liquid volume is reached for three different settings of the upper obstruction position. The usable volume is understood to be the volume predetermined as maximum for the geometry of the tank and / or the nature of the liquid present.

[0060] In Figures 6 to 8, the upper obstruction position is set to a first, second, and third position, respectively. The first position allows the greatest volume of liquid in the reservoir 12. The third position allows the least volume of liquid in the reservoir 12. The second position is between the first and third positions, i.e., allowing an intermediate volume.

[0061] It is thus observed that the maximum level of liquid volume 46 evolves according to the adjustment position defined for the upper obstruction position.

Claims

Demands

1. A liquid volume limit valve (14) for a liquid reservoir (12) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising: - a valve body (20) for mounting on an upper wall (16) of a liquid reservoir (12), the valve body (20) defining at least one inlet port (24) for fluid communication with the liquid reservoir (12) and one outlet port (22) for connection to a vent line (18), the valve body extending along an extension direction (A) intended to be oriented along a vertical axis when the limit valve (14) is in an operating position, - a movable sleeve (38), under the action of the liquid in the liquid reservoir (12), between a lower position allowing the addition of liquid to the reservoir (12) and an upper obstruction position preventing the addition of liquid to the reservoir (12),a lower end of the movable sleeve defining a maximum volume level of liquid in the liquid reservoir, wherein the limit valve (14) further includes a device for adjusting the upper obstruction position along the extension direction so as to vary the maximum volume level of liquid in the liquid reservoir (12).

2. Limit valve (14) according to claim 1, wherein the movable sleeve (38) is configured to move in translation between the lower release and upper obstruction positions along the extension direction (A).

3. Limit valve (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjusting device forms a stop configured to prevent the movement of the movable sleeve (38) beyond the upper obstruction position.

4. Limit valve (14) according to claim 3, wherein the stop is a removable stop to allow adjustment of the upper obstruction position, the valve body comprising a plurality of receiving housings for this removable stop.

5. Limit valve (14) according to claim 4, wherein the adjusting device includes a washer (40) forming the removable stop.

6. Limit valve (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body comprises: - an outer tubular wall (26) extending along the extension direction (A) to form an internal cavity, and - a regulating tube (28) disposed in the internal cavity, said at least one inlet port (24) being formed in a wall of the regulating tube (28) to communicate the interior of the tank with the discharge port (22), the free sleeve (38) being disposed in the internal cavity between the outer tubular wall (26) and the regulating tube (28).

7. Limit valve (14) according to claim 6, wherein an annular space (34) is formed along the extension direction (A) between the outer tubular wall and the regulating tube, the movable sleeve (38) forming a portion of tube complementary in shape to this annular space (34) so ​​as to obstruct this annular space (34) along the extension direction (A) when the movable sleeve (38) is in the upper obstruction position.

8. Limit valve (14) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the valve body (20) forms a circulation channel (33) between said at least one inlet port (24) and the discharge port (22), the limit valve (14) further comprising a movable float (32) disposed inside the regulating tube (28) and configured to obstruct the circulation channel (33) under the action of the liquid present in the tank.

9. Limit valve (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable sleeve (38) is guided by the valve body (20) during its movement between the lower and upper obstruction positions.

10. Limit valve (14) according to the preceding claim, wherein one of the movable sleeve (38) and the valve body (20) comprises a projecting portion (42) configured to be guided inside a guide light (44) extending along the extension direction (A) to permit guiding the movable sleeve (38) relative to the valve body (20). 10

11. Motor vehicle (10) comprising a liquid reservoir (12) forming an upper wall (16) in which a valve orifice is formed and a liquid volume limit valve (14) according to any one of the preceding claims mounted in this valve orifice.

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