Signal-controlled flow fuel delivery valve

Abstract

The invention concerns a delivery valve for the delivery of a fluid into a tank of a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the following is provided: a) the delivery valve has a first settable maximum volume flow, b) the delivery valve has a second settable maximum volume flow which is higher than the first settable maximum volume flow, c) a control device (24, 25), by means of which optionally the first or the second maximum volume flow can be set, d) a sensor device (20, 21), which is configured for interaction with a signal emitter (29) assigned to the tank of the motor vehicle and which activates the control device.

Claims

1. Delivery valve for the delivery of a fluid into tanks of different motor vehicles, characterized by the following features: a) the delivery valve has a first settable maximum volume flow which is larger than zero, b) the delivery valve has a second settable maximum volume flow which is higher than the first settable maximum volume flow, c) a control device (24, 25), by means of which the first or the second maximum volume flow can be set, d) a sensor device (20, 21), which is configured for interaction with a signal emitter (29) assigned to a tank of a motor vehicle and which activates the control device to set the delivery valve to the first settable maximum volume flow or the second maximum volume flow based on a signal received from the signal emitter (29).

2. Delivery valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the first settable maximum volume flow is 2 to 10 l/min.

3. Delivery valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the second settable maximum volume flow is 12 to 30 l/min.

4. Delivery valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the first settable maximum volume flow is set as standard, and the second settable maximum volume flow is set only when the sensor device (20, 21) detects a corresponding signal emitter (29) assigned to the tank of the motor vehicle.

5. Delivery valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (24, 25) and/or the sensor device (20, 21) require no external energy.

6. Delivery valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor device (20, 21) is configured for detecting a magnetic emitter (29) assigned to the tank of the motor vehicle.

7. Delivery valve according to claim 6, characterized in that the sensor device (20, 21) is configured for detecting a ring magnet (29) of a filler neck according to ISO 22241-5 with ring magnet.

8. Delivery valve according to claim 6, characterized in that the sensor device (20, 21) has a magnet (20) which is arranged displaceably in the region of the outlet pipe of the delivery valve and which is connected to a mechanical signal transmission device (21) for transmission of a control signal to the control device.

9. Delivery valve according to claim 8, characterized in that the mechanical signal transmission device has a signal rod (21) which is kinematically coupled to the displaceably arranged magnet (20) and which is displaceable in the axial direction of the outlet pipe of the delivery valve.

10. Delivery valve according to claim 9, characterized in that in the region facing away from the displaceably arranged magnet (20), the signal rod (21) is configured for closing or opening a pressure channel (23).

11. Delivery valve according to claim 9, characterized in that in the region facing away from the displaceably arranged magnet (20), the signal rod (21) has a first control magnet (31) which is configured for interaction with a second control magnet (32) of the control device.

12. Delivery valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the active connection between the sensor device and the control device takes place by pressure, mechanically and/or magnetically.

13. Delivery valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (24, 25) is configured to set a first and a second maximum opening lift of a main valve of the delivery valve.

14. Delivery valve according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to deliver urea solution.

15. Delivery pump for combined delivery of fuels and urea solution, with at least one delivery valve for delivery of fuel, characterized in that the delivery pump comprises at least one delivery valve according to claim 14 for delivery of urea solution.

16. Delivery valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the first settable maximum volume flow is 3 to 8 l/min.

17. Delivery valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the first settable maximum volume flow is 4 to 6 l/min.

18. Delivery valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the second settable maximum volume flow is 15 to 25 l/min.

19. Delivery valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the second settable maximum volume flow is 18 to 22 l/min.

Description

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawing. This shows:

(2) FIG. 1 an embodiment of a delivery valve according to the invention in a sectional drawing;

(3) FIG. 2 in an extract from FIG. 1, the outlet end of the outlet pipe;

(4) FIG. 3 in an extract from FIG. 1, the region of the main valve;

(5) FIG. 4 the delivery valve in operating state in a filler neck according to ISO 22241-5 without ring magnet;

(6) FIG. 5 in an extract from FIG. 4, the outlet end of the outlet pipe;

(7) FIG. 6 in an extract from FIG. 4, the region of the main valve;

(8) FIG. 7 the delivery valve in operating state in a filler neck according to ISO 22241-5 with ring magnet;

(9) FIG. 8 in an extract from FIG. 7, the outlet end of the outlet pipe;

(10) FIG. 9 in an extract from FIG. 7, the region of the main valve;

(11) FIG. 10 a second embodiment of the invention with a different signal transmission route, with the first maximum volume flow set;

(12) FIG. 11 the second embodiment of the invention with the second maximum volume flow set;

(13) FIG. 12 diagrammatically, filler necks with interfaces according to ISO 22241-5 with and without ring magnet;

(14) FIG. 13 diagrammatically, in a flow diagram, the function of a delivery valve according to the invention.

(15) A delivery valve according to the invention (also known as a filler nozzle) has a valve housing 1, an inlet 2 connected to a hose (not shown) for fluid, an outlet pipe 3 and a switch lever 4. In the known fashion and as described for example in EP 2 386 520 A1, the switch lever 4 actuates a main valve 5 of the delivery valve. A sensor line 6 communicates pneumatically with the environment of the outlet end of the outlet pipe 3, and thus in the conventional manner and as described in the above-mentioned EP specification, causes shut-off when the tank is full.

(16) In the region of the outlet end of the outlet pipe 3, a safety valve 7 is provided which closes against a valve seat downstream. The end of the valve stem 9 pointing upstream is provided with a magnet 10.

(17) A sliding sleeve 11 is arranged around the outer periphery of the outlet pipe 3 in the region of the outlet end. The sliding sleeve 11 is preloaded by a compression spring 12 in the blocking position shown in FIG. 1, which it assumes in an axial end position in the direction of the outlet end of the outlet pipe 3. An annular active magnet 13 is arranged on the sliding sleeve 11. The sliding sleeve 11 is displaceable in a cylindrical pocket 14 which surrounds its outer periphery concentrically and also receives the compression spring 12.

(18) In the position shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the safety valve is preloaded in the closed position by the magnetic interaction between the active magnet 13 and magnet 10.

(19) The sensor line 6 is closed in the direction of the outlet by a sensor line valve 17 which comprises an actuation magnet 19 at the opposite end of the valve stem 18. This valve 17 is also preloaded in the closed position by the magnetic interaction between the active magnet 13 and the actuation magnet 19.

(20) A sensor magnet 20 is arranged close to the outlet end of the outlet pipe and is axially displaceable together with a sensor rod 21. The sensor rod 21 is preloaded in the closed position shown in FIG. 2, in which its upstream end 22 closes a pressure channel 23.

(21) FIG. 3 shows a device with a membrane 24 which serves—in the known fashion and as described for example in EP 2 386 520 A1—for the tank-full shut-off when the outlet end of the outlet pipe is immersed in fluid and hence pressure fluctuations occur in the sensor line 6. This automatic tank-full shut-off device is commonly known to the person skilled in the art and requires no further description here.

(22) The membrane device according to the invention also has the function of a control device. To this end, it is provided that the membrane rollers 25, in a manner to be outlined in more detail below, can assume two different operating positions: in the first operating position, when the switch lever 4 is pulled, they hit against a first stop 26; in the second operating position they hit against a second stop 27, which is moved in the axial direction of the actuating stroke of the main valve 5 relative to the first stop 26, thus causing the main valve 5 to have a larger opening lift on actuation of the switch lever 4 and interaction of the membrane rollers 25 with the second stop 27.

(23) If the actuating lever 4 is pulled in the operating state shown in FIG. 1 with the safety valve 7 closed, firstly the main valve 5 opens and allows fluid to flow into the outlet pipe 3. The pressure there rises since the safety valve 7 does not allow any escape from the outlet pipe 3. As soon as the pressure exceeds a predefined threshold value, a differential pressure is created via the tank-full shut-off device indicated as 15 or its membrane, such that it deploys the tank-full shut-off and decouples the actuating lever 4 from the main valve 5 in the known fashion, so that the main valve 5 closes again under its closing spring. The threshold value for the pressure at which such a deployment takes place lies above the pressure prevailing in the outlet pipe 3 on conventional filling, and below the operating pressure at the inlet 2 of the delivery valve (as provided by the pump of the delivery system).

(24) In FIGS. 4 to 6, the outlet end of the outlet pipe 3 is fully inserted in the filler neck 16 of a urea tank of a car according to ISO 22241-5 without ring magnet. This is structured such that it closely surrounds the outlet pipe even directly in the region of the start of the filler neck, as shown in FIG. 5. The annular end face of the sliding sleeve 11 butts against the corresponding counter-face of the tank filler neck 16, and the sliding sleeve 11 is moved from the blocking position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 into the open position shown in FIG. 5, against the pressure of the spring 12. In this position, the upstream end of the sliding sleeve 11 butts against a stop. This sliding sleeve 11 also moves the active magnet 13 axially accordingly. The magnetic active connection between the active magnet 13 and the magnet 10 on the valve stem 9 moves the safety valve 7 into the open position shown in FIG. 5. This opening movement takes place in the upstream direction. The filling process can now be started at any time by pulling the switch lever 4, causing the opening of the main valve 5. The outflow of fluid through the outlet pipe 3 is such that the safety valve 7 remains in its open position, and the filling process can be performed. Due to the axial displacement of the active magnet 13, the actuating magnet 19 is also moved into the open position, so that the sensor line valve 17 is also opened.

(25) In the operating state depicted, the sensor rod 21 remains in the position in which it closes the pressure channel 23. The membrane device 24 remains in the upper position (FIG. 6). When the switch lever 4 is pulled, the membrane rollers 25 move against the first stop 26 and the main valve 5 opens with a relatively small opening lift; the opening gap 28 in the exemplary embodiment allows a maximum volume flow of approximately 5 l/min. In this way, the membrane device 24, in interaction with the positioning of the membrane rollers 25 as a control device, sets the first (lower) maximum volume flow.

(26) The filling process may be terminated in the usual way by releasing or unlocking the actuating lever 4. If the tank is largely filled, the end of the outlet pipe 3 and hence also the sensor line 6 is immersed in the fluid. The resulting pressure difference pneumatically causes, in the conventional fashion described for example in EP 2 386 520 A1, a shut-off of the main valve and hence terminates the filling process.

(27) The filling process is also terminated if the delivery valve is removed from the tank filler neck 16, and the sliding sleeve 11 is pushed back from the release position of FIG. 3 into the blocking position of FIG. 1 or 2 by means of spring 12. Due to the magnetic interaction between the ring magnet 13 (active magnet 13) and the magnets 10, the safety valve 7 is moved back in the downstream direction into its closed position. If the main valve 5 is now still open, the pressure rise in the outlet pipe 3 causes the deployment of the tank-full shut-off device described above and hence a closure of the main valve 5.

(28) Gases escaping during the filling process can be returned by the delivery valve in the usual fashion through a gas extraction channel (not shown).

(29) In FIGS. 7 to 9, the outlet end of the outlet pipe 3 is fully inserted in the filler neck 16 of a urea tank of a car according to ISO 22241-5 with ring magnet. The function is in principle identical to that described above in the context of FIGS. 4 to 6.

(30) The filler neck or tank filler neck has a ring magnet 29, which identifies the tank and filler neck as suitable for a larger volume flow. When the delivery valve is inserted, the ring magnet 29 interacts with the sensor magnet 20 and pulls the sensor rod 21 downstream in the axial direction against its preload. This causes the pressure channel 23 to be opened, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

(31) The pressure prevailing in the outlet pipe (typically around 3.5 bar) is now actively connected via the now open pressure channel 23 to the membrane device 24, and allows this to assume its lower position shown in FIG. 9. In this lower position, the membrane rollers 25 come into interaction with the second stop 27, and when the switch lever 4 is pulled, allow a significantly greater opening lift of the main valve 5 with a correspondingly larger opening gap 30, which allows a maximum volume flow of around 20 l/min. In this way, the membrane device 24, in interaction with the positioning of the membrane rollers 25 as a control device, sets the second (higher) maximum volume flow.

(32) During filling, the pressure in the outlet pipe and hence also in the pressure channel 23 falls below the threshold value, which moves the membrane device 24 into its lower position. During the ongoing filling process, the membrane rollers 25 remain in engagement with the second stop 27 due to friction or clamping effect. After termination of the filling process, the membrane device 24 jumps back to its upper position in which only the first maximum volume flow is possible.

(33) FIGS. 10 and 11 show an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the signal transmission between the sensor rod 21 and the control device takes place magnetically.

(34) At its end pointing away from the outlet, the sensor rod 21 is provided with a first control magnet 31. This cooperates by repulsion with a second control magnet 32 which is arranged displaceably on a displacement element 35. Depending on the displacement position of this displacement element 35, the membrane device 24 with membrane rollers 25 assumes either the upper position shown in FIG. 10 (here designated 33) or the lower position shown in FIG. 11 (here designated 34).

(35) In the position of the displacement element 35 shown in FIG. 11, the membrane rollers 25 are in the position which allows the larger opening lift of the main valve 5 (second maximum volume flow).

(36) In the position of the displacement device 35 shown in FIG. 10, the membrane rollers 25 with the membrane device 24 are raised from the displacement element 35 into the position which allows only the smaller opening lift of the main valve 5 (first maximum volume flow).

(37) Normally, the sensor rod 21 assumes the position shown in FIG. 10, so that the delivery valve sets only the first maximum volume flow.

(38) Only when, on insertion of the delivery valve in a filler neck 16 of a urea tank of a car according to ISO 22241-5 with ring magnet, this ring magnet 29 interacts with the sensor magnet 20 and pulls the sensor rod 21 downstream in the axial direction against its preload, do the sensor rod 21 and first control magnet 31 assume the position shown in FIG. 11. The second control magnet 32 with the displacement element 35 moves into the position shown in FIG. 11 due to the absent or reduced magnetic repulsion, so that now the greater second maximum volume flow is released.

(39) FIG. 12 shows diagrammatically filler necks with interfaces according to ISO 22241-5 with and without ring magnet 29.

(40) FIG. 13 shows diagrammatically in a flow diagram the function of a delivery valve according to the invention.

(41) Delivery of AdBlue is possible only when the valve is introduced into a filler neck according to ISO 22241-5, since otherwise the safety valve 7 remains closed.

(42) If such a filler neck is detected, the standard flow rate (first settable maximum volume flow, in the exemplary embodiment 5 l/min) is set as standard.

(43) If in addition a ring magnet 29 is detected, in the manner described the different flow rate (second settable maximum volume flow, in the exemplary embodiment 20 l/min) is set.