Automotive Fluid Systems

Abstract

A liquid device and method are provided that are capable of directing a liquid jet into a corresponding liquid container. [Solution] The present invention relates to a liquid device for generating a liquid jet (28) in an outer region (10) of a vehicle (12), comprising a liquid outlet (16) through which a liquid jet (28) generated by a pump device (18) and supplied from a tank (20) exits the outer region (10) of the vehicle (12). The liquid device (14) comprises a liquid container (24) having a liquid inlet (26) for receiving the liquid jet (28) exiting the liquid outlet (16) in the outer region (10) of the vehicle, and connected to the tank (20) via a conduit (22).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid device according to the preamble of claim 1. The present invention further relates to a method for operating such a liquid device according to the preamble of claim 10. [Background technology]

[0002] From the document DE 10 02 04 13 A1 a system is known, which is made up of several units, each consisting of a water tank, a water pump, a connecting hose and an outer button or outer tube, which is attached to the body in such a way that the pressure of the water jet causes the outlet nozzle to pivot outwards. The system can be started and controlled from inside the vehicle, but also from outside and remotely. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] DE 10 2012 006 754 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid device and method which is capable of directing a liquid jet into a corresponding liquid container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The above problem is solved by a fluid device having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the fluid device according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous and advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention and vice versa.

[0006] The liquid device according to the present invention for generating a liquid jet in the outer area of ​​a motor vehicle has a liquid outlet, via which the liquid jet generated by the pump device and supplied from the tank exits into the outer area of ​​the motor vehicle.

[0007] In order to provide a liquid device capable of sending a liquid jet to a corresponding liquid container, it is then envisaged according to the invention that the liquid device comprises a liquid container with a liquid inlet, in which the liquid jet emerging from the liquid outlet can be accommodated in the outer area of ​​the vehicle. Furthermore, the liquid inlet is connected to a tank via a conduit. In other words, the pump is supplied with liquid from the tank, and the liquid is sent by the liquid outlet as a liquid jet to the surrounding environment of the liquid device. The liquid jet moves along a trajectory (flight trajectory) that reaches the liquid container and its liquid inlet. The liquid is guided again from the liquid container to the tank by a conduit, thereby closing the liquid circuit.

[0008] In this case, the liquid outlet is arranged, for example, in the front outer region of the motor vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the liquid inlet is arranged in the rear outer region in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In this case, the liquid outlet is formed so as to send the liquid jet at an angle between the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the upper part in the height direction of the vehicle to the rear outer region in which the liquid inlet and the liquid container are arranged. In other words, the liquid device makes it possible to make the liquid jet exit the liquid outlet in a flight trajectory such that the liquid jet flows into the liquid container. In this case, the liquid inlet is formed, for example, at least partially conically, which allows a tolerance to compensate for different flight trajectories, for example due to wind.

[0009] For this purpose, the pump device is designed to deliver the liquid via a conduit to the tank when the liquid jet enters the liquid container, so that a small amount of liquid is accommodated in relation to the volume of the liquid container, and the remainder is supplied to the circuit. This causes the tank to be filled with liquid in order to subsequently emit the liquid jet. In addition, it is in particular possible for the pump device to emit not only one liquid jet, but also several liquid jets that are emitted successively. In other words, this allows the incorporation of a liquid device or water storage device which, by means of the pump device, ejects a water jet or a short liquid jet or a series of water jets in the direction from the front to the rear of the motor vehicle or vehicle. A small amount of liquid or water conveyed in the small tank is sufficient to generate a visual water fountain function in the outer area of ​​the motor vehicle, since the water is collected there and returned again.

[0010] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the liquid jet can be guided on a flight trajectory from the liquid outlet to the liquid container. In that case, it is possible, for example, to form the liquid container so that it is mounted at least partially tilted forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, in particular at the angle of incidence of the flight trajectory of the liquid jet on the liquid inlet. In that case, an adjustable embodiment of the liquid container allows several angles, whereby this angle can be adjusted, for example, by means of a control device and an actuator. A corresponding control of the liquid outlet can also adapt the exit angle of the liquid jet. Thus, the flight trajectory of the liquid jet can be at least partially controlled.

[0011] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the liquid outlet is arranged in a front outer region of the motor vehicle and the liquid inlet is arranged in a rear outer region of the motor vehicle. The front outer region is in particular provided by the front hood of the motor vehicle. In particular, in this case, the liquid outlet is arranged in a front central region of the front hood in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In this case, it is possible to arrange the liquid outlet under a cover element, in particular under an emblem of the motor vehicle, which can be opened or extended by a further actuator of the liquid device when the liquid device is used, and the liquid outlet can also be configured to be extendable.

[0012] The liquid inlet is arranged in particular in the rear central region in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, in which case it is possible to arrange the liquid inlet under a second cover element, in particular under the antenna of the vehicle, which can be opened by an actuator of the liquid device when the liquid device is used, and the liquid inlet can be extended.

[0013] Furthermore, in a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the liquid device comprises a light source, in particular a laser beam, by means of which the liquid jet can be illuminated, the light source being arranged, for example, at a position where it illuminates or irradiates the liquid jet, for example in color, so that a light function is generated in addition to the jet function.

[0014] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the tank can be supplied with a quantity of liquid from at least one other component of the motor vehicle by means of at least one other conduit connected to the tank, the other component being provided, for example, as the air conditioning system of the motor vehicle, from which the liquid originates and from which it can be drawn. The supply can be controlled, for example, by means of a further conduit and by means of a pump device and a corresponding valve.

[0015] In addition, in another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated that the liquid device can be controlled by an at least partially automated switch unit. The switch unit can be operated manually and / or at least partially automatically, in particular while the vehicle is parked, thereby switching on the liquid device for the optical effect. In particular, the switch unit can be electronically connected to an electric computing device and / or a driver assistance system of the vehicle, whereby remote control is also possible, for example via an ID transmitter or a remote control key. Furthermore, the liquid device can also be controlled by a mobile phone and a corresponding application that can be wirelessly connected to the vehicle. It is also possible to adjust the liquid jet and the light source by remote control.

[0016] Furthermore, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that at least one further second liquid outlet corresponding to the second pump device and at least one further second liquid container with a second liquid inlet are arranged, in which case at least one second liquid jet can be guided in a similar manner to the liquid jet, in other words, thereby generating at least one second liquid jet, in particular multiple second liquid jets which further expand the fountain function. In particular, all liquid outlets and liquid inlets are connected to the same tank, whereby a circuit is maintained.

[0017] In addition, another embodiment of the invention shows that the liquid container can accommodate multiple liquid jets, meaning that one liquid container is designed to accommodate all liquid jets, regardless of the number of liquid jets. For this purpose, it is conceivable to change the angle of the liquid container in all degrees of freedom, for example by means of a movement device provided for this purpose.

[0018] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the liquid jets can be controlled independently of each other. Thus, different liquid jets can be formed so that different shapes and timing effects are possible. The light effects, which in combination with the light source allow for optimized embodiments of the fountain function and the light effects, can be extended, for example, with speakers and associated sounds. Thereby, for example, the sound of water can be added to the fountain function, and it is also possible to set, for example, suitable music or other sounds. Furthermore, the liquid jets can be controlled by a sensor device, which can at least partly automatically switch them on and off. For example, when a passerby approaches the car, the liquid device can be switched on by the sensor device. After the passerby leaves, the liquid device is automatically switched off again, which allows energy savings. This is also possible by means of a timer of the liquid device, which activates the liquid device after a predefined time has elapsed, which also allows energy savings. In addition, in the case of multiple liquid devices, the respective timers can be used to enhance and optimize the fountain function.

[0019] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of operating a liquid device for generating a liquid jet in an exterior area of ​​a motor vehicle, where a liquid jet generated by a pump device and delivered from a tank and exiting through a liquid outlet is provided in the exterior area of ​​the motor vehicle, characterized in that the liquid jet exiting from the liquid outlet is contained by a liquid container including a liquid inlet, arranged in the exterior area of ​​the motor vehicle and connected to the tank through a conduit.

[0020] In summary, the present invention describes a water spout or fountain function by supplying water in the outer area of ​​a vehicle, where the flow intensity and the flow direction are the two parameters necessary to control the flight trajectory of the liquid jet, which is provided by a pump device and an actuator.

[0021] Further advantages, features and specifics of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in which: The features and feature combinations mentioned in the above description and mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in only one of the figures are applicable not only in the respective combinations mentioned, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the framework of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle equipped with an operating fluid device according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] In FIG. 1, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numbers.

[0024] 1 shows a perspective view of the outer area 10, in particular the front outer area 10a and the rear outer area 10b, of a motor vehicle 12 with a liquid device 14 in operation. In this case, the liquid device 14 comprises a liquid outlet 16, a pump device 18 and a tank 20, and in addition three conduit areas 22a, 22b, 22c of a conduit 22 connecting a liquid container 24 to the tank 20, the liquid container 24 having a liquid inlet 26. In other words, the liquid device 14 is formed to emit a liquid jet 28, the liquid jet 28 generated by the pump device 18 and delivered from the tank 20 reaching the liquid container 24 via a flight trajectory via the liquid outlet 16. The liquid jet 28 can be accommodated in the liquid container 24 via the liquid inlet 26. The liquid container 24 is connected to the tank 20 by a first conduit area 22a. The tank 20 is connected to the pump device 18 by a second conduit region 22b and to the liquid outlet 16 via a third conduit region 22c, whereby the circuit is closed when the liquid device 14 is in use.

[0025] The front outer area 10a is provided by a cover hood 30 of the motor vehicle 12. In this case, the liquid outlet 16 is arranged in a front area 32 of the cover hood 30 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x, in particular in a central area 34 of the front area 32 in the vehicle width direction y. In this case, the liquid outlet 16 is arranged under a first cover element 36, in particular under an emblem of the motor vehicle 12. When the liquid device 14 is in use, the cover element 36 can be opened or extended by a first actuator 38 of the liquid device 14, and the liquid outlet 16 is exposed by being raised in the vehicle height direction z by a second actuator 40 of the liquid device 14.

[0026] The rear outer area 10b is provided by the rear part 44 of the motor vehicle 12. In this case, the liquid inlet 26 is arranged in the rear area 46 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x of the rear part 44, in particular in a central area 48 of the rear area 46 in the vehicle width direction y. In this case, the liquid inlet 26 is arranged under the second cover element 50, in particular under the antenna of the motor vehicle 12. When the liquid device 14 is used, the second cover element 50 can be opened by a third actuator 52 of the liquid device 14, the liquid inlet 26 is exposed by raising in the vehicle height direction Z by a fourth actuator 54 of the liquid device 14, and the tilting of the liquid container 24 is enabled by a fifth actuator 56 of the liquid device 14. By means of the pump device 18, it is possible to control the liquid jet 28 with respect to the outflow direction 58 and / or the outflow intensity 60. In this way, the liquid jet 28 can be generated.

[0027] Furthermore, a light source 62, in particular a laser beam, is arranged in the liquid device 14, which light source illuminates the liquid jet 28, for example in color. In this case, the light source 62 is arranged, for example, at a position 64, from which the light source 62 illuminates the liquid jet 28, whereby a light function is generated from the optical effect in addition to the resulting fountain function. The light source 62 can also be arranged at another position of the motor vehicle 12, for example in the rear area of ​​the motor vehicle.

[0028] In addition, by means of at least one further second conduit, not shown in Fig. 1, connected to the tank 20, a quantity of liquid from at least one further component of the motor vehicle 12 can be supplied to the tank 20. In this case, a further component, also not shown in Fig. 1, is provided, for example an air conditioning system of the motor vehicle 12, from which liquid can be taken. In this case, the supply is controllable by means of a further second conduit and by means of a valve corresponding to the pump device 18.

[0029] Furthermore, the liquid device 14 is assigned an at least partially automated switch unit 66 which can be operated manually and / or at least partly automatically, in particular when the motor vehicle 12 is parked, thereby switching on the liquid device 14 for the optical effect. In particular, the switch unit can be electronically connected to an electric computing device and / or a driving assistance system of the motor vehicle 12, whereby the liquid device 14 can also be switched on via a remote control 68, for example an ID transmitter or a remote control key. Furthermore, the switch unit can be switched on by a mobile phone and an application which can be wirelessly connected to the motor vehicle 12. It is also possible to adjust the liquid jet 28 and the light source 62 via the remote control 68.

Claims

1. A liquid device for generating a liquid jet (28) in an outer area (10) of a motor vehicle (12), comprising a liquid outlet (16) through which a liquid jet (28) generated by a pump device (18) and supplied from a tank (20) emerges in the outer area (10) of the motor vehicle (12), a liquid container (24) having a liquid inlet (26) capable of receiving the liquid jet (28) issuing from the liquid outlet (16) in the exterior region (10) of the vehicle, the liquid container (24) being connected to the tank (20) via a conduit (22); Equipped with The liquid jet (28) may be guided on a flight trajectory from the liquid outlet (16) to the liquid reservoir (24). A liquid device (14).

2. The liquid outlet (16) is located in a front outer region (10a) of the vehicle (12) and the liquid inlet (26) is located in a rear outer region (10b) of the vehicle.

2. A liquid device (14) according to claim 1, characterised in that

3. a light source capable of illuminating said liquid jet (28) The liquid device (14) of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising:

4. At least one other conduit connected to the tank (20) allows a quantity of liquid from at least one other component of the vehicle (12) to be supplied to the tank (20). A liquid device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The liquid device (14) is controllable by an at least partially automated switch unit (66). A liquid device (14) according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. At least one further second liquid outlet (17) corresponding to a second pump device (19) and at least one further second liquid container (25) having said second liquid inlet (27) are arranged, in which at least one second liquid jet (29) can be guided in the same way as said liquid jet (28). A liquid device (14) according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. The liquid container (24) is capable of containing a plurality of liquid jets (28, 29). A liquid device (14) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. The liquid jets (28, 29) are controllable independently of one another. A liquid device (14) according to claim 7.

9. 1. A method of operating a liquid device (14) for generating a liquid jet (28) in an exterior area (10) of a vehicle (12), the liquid jet (28) being generated by a pump device (18) and fed from a tank (20) and exiting via a liquid outlet (16), the method comprising: the liquid jet (28) issuing from the liquid outlet (16) is contained by a liquid container (24) including a liquid inlet (26) arranged in the exterior area (10) of the vehicle and connected to the tank (20) via a conduit (22); The liquid jet (28) may be guided on a flight trajectory from the liquid outlet (16) to the liquid reservoir (24). A method comprising:

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