Motor vehicle quick coupling, and fluid circuit

Abstract

A motor vehicle quick coupling for a fluid connection in a motor vehicle includes a coupling body in which a fluid line is formed through which a fluid can flow. The quick coupling has a first fluid interface which is designed such that the quick coupling can be connected directly to a fluid-conducting component of the motor vehicle, in particular to a radiator, such that the component supports the quick coupling. The quick coupling has a second fluid interface which is fluidically connected to the first fluid interface via the fluid line. The quick coupling includes a valve which has a valve closure element that extends into the fluid line.

Claims

1. A fluid circuit in a motor vehicle, comprising: a first fluid-guiding component, wherein the first fluid-guiding component is a rigid subassembly and is not a line or a hose and is connected to the motor vehicle in a mechanically secure manner and wherein the first fluid-guiding component is a radiator of the motor vehicle; a second fluid-guiding component, wherein the second fluid-guiding component is a line or a hose; a component of the motor vehicle, wherein the second fluid-guiding component is connected to the component of the motor vehicle; a quick coupling, wherein the quick coupling includes: a coupling body in which a fluid line through which a fluid is flowable is present; a first fluid interface that is connected directly to the first fluid-guiding component; a second fluid interface that is connected to the second fluid-guiding component, wherein the second fluid interface is connected in terms of flow via the fluid line to the first fluid interface, wherein an outer side of the second fluid interface has ribs, and wherein an end of the second fluid-guiding component is fitted over the ribs; and a valve which is disposed in the coupling body between the first fluid interface and the second fluid interface, wherein the valve includes a valve closure element which extends into the fluid line.

2. The fluid circuit in the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a valve seat for the valve closure element is constructed in the coupling body.

3. The fluid circuit in the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the valve seat is in a region of the second fluid interface.

4. The fluid circuit in the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling body has a valve interface via which at least one valve drive unit of the valve is connectable to the coupling body.

5. The fluid circuit in the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fluid interface has a torsion prevention device.

6. The fluid circuit in the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve is an electric valve.

7. The fluid circuit in the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electric valve is an electromagnetic valve.

8. The fluid circuit in the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve is configured such that the valve closure element can assume an open position, in which fluid can flow through the fluid line, and a closed position, in which the fluid line is blocked.

9. The fluid circuit in the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the valve is constructed such that the valve closure element can assume intermediate positions between the open and the closed position.

10. The fluid circuit in the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve is constructed to be fail-safe.

11. The fluid circuit in the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a heating unit which at least indirectly heats the fluid which flows through the quick coupling.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle quick coupling according to an embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of the motor vehicle quick coupling from FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a sectioned view of the motor vehicle quick coupling taken along the line A-A from FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a partial view of a schematically illustrated exemplary fluid circuit according to the invention in a motor vehicle having the motor vehicle quick coupling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(5) FIGS. 1 to 3 show a motor vehicle quick coupling 10 for the cooling circuit of the vehicle, which comprises a coupling body 12 on which a first fluid interface 14 and a second fluid interface 16 are provided.

(6) In the embodiment shown, the two fluid interfaces 14, 16 are arranged at right-angles with respect to each other on the coupling body 12, wherein the two fluid interfaces 14, 16 are connected to each other in terms of flow by way of a fluid line 18 which is formed in the coupling body 12 (see FIG. 3).

(7) In other embodiments, the fluid interfaces 14, 16 may have another angle with respect to each other.

(8) As can be seen in FIG. 4, in which a portion of a fluid circuit 20 in a motor vehicle is schematically illustrated, the first fluid interface 14 is configured in such a manner that the quick coupling 10 can be connected directly to a fluid-guiding component 22 of a motor vehicle. The fluid-guiding component 22 may be a radiator of the motor vehicle.

(9) Alternatively, the fluid-guiding component 22 may be a turbocharger or another component which guides a fluid.

(10) The second fluid interface 16 is in contrast constructed in such a manner that a fluid-guiding component 24, such as a hose or a line, can be connected to the quick coupling 10 so that the fluid-guiding component 22 is connected in fluidically to another component 26 of the motor vehicle.

(11) To this end, the second fluid interface 16 has at the outer side thereof ribs 28 which act as a seal and retention device when the fluid-guiding component 24 is connected to the second fluid interface 16 by being fitted over the second fluid interface 16 in the form of a connection piece. Generally, the fluid-guiding component 24 is additionally fixed to the second fluid interface 16 by means of a pressing clamp 29.

(12) The quick coupling 10 additionally has a valve 30 (see FIG. 3) which, in the embodiment shown, is constructed as an electric valve, which is also referred to as an electronic actuator. Alternatively, the valve 30 may be constructed as a solenoid valve.

(13) The valve 30 has a valve drive unit 32 which includes a drive housing 34, a drive 36 which is accommodated therein and a valve closure element 38 which extends into the fluid line 18 which is formed in the coupling body 12. In the embodiment shown, the drive 36 is constructed as an electric motor and the valve closure element 38 as a valve cone.

(14) Alternatively, the valve closure element 38 may be constructed as a ball or have a different geometric shape which enables closure.

(15) The valve drive unit 32 is secured to the coupling body 12 via a valve interface 40 of the coupling body 12. The valve interface 40 may have an inner thread and accordingly corresponding outer thread so that the valve drive unit 32 is screwed into the coupling body 12. The construction of the threads may, however, also be precisely transposed. Seals may be provided which generally ensure that the fluid flowing through the coupling body 12 is not discharged at the valve interface 40.

(16) There is formed in the coupling body 12 in the region of the second fluid interface 16 a valve seat 42 with which the valve closure element 38 cooperates in order to control or regulate the throughflow through the valve 30 or through the quick coupling 10.

(17) The valve interface 40 is arranged opposite the second fluid interface 16, that is to say, opposite the valve seat 42, so that the valve closure element 38 only has to be displaced in a linear manner in order to be pressed by the drive 36 of the valve drive unit 32 onto the valve seat 42. The opposing arrangement of the valve interface 40 and the second fluid interface 16 ensures that the valve 30 is constructed in a simple manner and is consequently not liable to malfunctions.

(18) Alternatively, there may be provision for the throughflow through the valve 30 to be blocked by the valve closure element 38 in a region other than in the region of the second fluid interface 16. Accordingly, the valve seat 42 would be constructed in a different region of the coupling body 12.

(19) The valve drive unit 32 may displace the valve 30, in particular the valve closure element 38, in such a linear manner that it assumes an open position, which is illustrated in FIG. 3, or a closed position which is illustrated in FIG. 3 with dashed lines.

(20) In the open position, the fluid flows from the first fluid interface 14 via the fluid line 18 to the second fluid interface 16 so that the fluid flows from the fluid-guiding component 22 of the motor vehicle to the other component 26 of the motor vehicle, or vice versa (see FIG. 4).

(21) In the closed position, the valve 30 or the valve closure element 38 blocks (together with the valve seat 42) the throughflow through the fluid line 18 so that no fluid flows from the fluid-guiding component 22 of the motor vehicle to the other component 26 of the motor vehicle, or vice versa. The valve closure element 38 and the valve seat 42 accordingly form in the closed position a fluid-tight barrier within the quick coupling 10.

(22) Furthermore, the valve 30, in particular the valve drive unit 32, may be constructed in such a manner that the valve closure element 38 can assume intermediate positions between the open and the closed position. In these intermediate positions, the flow cross-section of the fluid line 18 is changed by the valve closure element 38, whereby the flow quantity of the fluid which flows through the fluid line 18 can be adjusted.

(23) The further the valve closure element 38 is displaced in the direction of the valve seat 42, the smaller is the flow cross-section of the fluid line 18 and consequently of the quantity of fluid. Using the valve 30, the throughflow quantity can accordingly be controlled or regulated, for which reason the valve 30 can be used as a regulation device.

(24) Generally, the valve 30 is constructed so as to be fail-safe, which means that it assumes a preferred, predefined position if the valve drive unit 32 fails. The preferred position may be the open or closed position, depending on the area of application or field of use of the quick coupling 10.

(25) The failure protection can be produced by use of mechanical securing elements, such as springs, which urge the valve closure element 38 into the preferred position. The securing elements may be provided in the valve drive unit 32. For reasons of greater clarity, these securing elements are not illustrated in FIG. 3.

(26) Furthermore, the valve 30 may include a heating unit 44 which at least indirectly heats the fluid flowing through the quick coupling 10. In the embodiment shown, the heating unit 44 is also arranged in the valve drive unit 32, in particular in the drive housing 34.

(27) The heating unit 44 is associated with the valve closure element 38 so that it is directly heated by the heating unit 44. The fluid which is in contact with the valve closure element 38 is accordingly heated indirectly via the heating unit 44. The heating unit 44 may alternatively be provided in the valve closure element 38 or at least partially form it so that the fluid flowing through the fluid line 18 is directly heated by the heating unit 44.

(28) Alternatively or additionally, the heating unit 44 heats the drive housing 34, whereby the coupling body 12 is also heated. The fluid flowing through the coupling body 12 is then indirectly heated by the heated coupling body 12.

(29) The coupling body 12 comprises in particular a metal so that the coupling body 12 is thermally conductive and has a degree of rigidity.

(30) The rigidity is generally required in order to ensure that the forces of the valve drive unit 32 acting on the coupling body 12 can be transmitted via the first fluid interface 14 to the fluid-guiding component 22 which carries the quick coupling 10 and consequently the valve 30.

(31) Alternatively to constructing the coupling body 12 from metal, it may also be formed from a plastics material, in particular a thermally conductive plastics material. In this instance, reinforcement measures may be provided so that the forces which occur can be reliably absorbed.

(32) The first fluid interface 14 is further preferably provided with a torsion prevention device 46, whereby it is ensured that the valve 30 has and maintains a predefined relative position or orientation relative to the fluid-guiding component 22 when the valve 30 is coupled via the first fluid interface 14 to the fluid-guiding component 22.

(33) The torsion prevention device 46 prevents the quick coupling 10, which is connected to the fluid-guiding component 22, from twisting relative to the component 22 which would lead to an undesirable orientation of the valve 30.

(34) The connection of the quick coupling 10 to the fluid-guiding component 22 is carried out in a simple manner such that the quick coupling 10 is fitted via the first fluid interface 14 on a connection piece of the component 22 and fastened and secured via the torsion prevention device 46.

(35) The quick coupling 10 is further preferably constructed as a VDA (Association of the German Automotive Industry) coupling so that it can be used in accordance with standards for many vehicle components.

(36) In an alternative embodiment, the valve drive unit 32, in particular the drive housing 34, is constructed integrally with the coupling body 12 so that the valve interface 40 is superfluous.

(37) With the motor vehicle quick coupling 10 according to the invention, it is consequently possible in a simple manner to integrate a quick coupling and a valve 30 in the fluid circuit 20, wherein the number of fluid interfaces is minimized at the same time.

(38) Furthermore, the motor vehicle quick coupling 10 is space-saving since no additional structural space is required for the valve 30. This also relates to the valve retention members which are otherwise required and which can be dispensed with in the motor vehicle quick coupling 10 according to the invention. The assembly complexity is additionally reduced.

(39) The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.