METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TANK VENTILATION OF A FUEL TANK OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for tank ventilation of a fuel tank of a vehicle. A first and a second purge air line are to be respectively connected to a fuel vapor collecting device that is arranged downstream from a fuel tank, the first line being connected to an intake manifold and the second line being connected to an air supply system of a supercharging unit. A purging device is additionally provided in the second purge air line. Operating a control device that is designed to at least partially regulate the at least one first purge air flow and/or the second purge air flow ultimately results in venting of the fuel vapor collecting device, with a quantity distribution of an overall purge air stream to the first and second purge air line being controlled by means of the control device and an active control system of a purging device.

Claims

1. A method for tank ventilation of a fuel tank of a vehicle, comprising the following steps: connecting a fuel vapor collecting device that is arranged downstream from the fuel tank to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine by means of at least one first purge air line, so that at least a first purge air stream can be directed downstream from the fuel vapor collecting device in the direction of the internal combustion engine; connecting the fuel vapor collecting device that is arranged downstream from a fuel tank to an air supply system of an exhaust gas turbocharger by means of a second purge air line, so that a second purge air stream can be directed downstream from the fuel vapor collecting device in the direction of the exhaust gas turbocharger and subsequently into the internal combustion engine, a purging device being provided in the second purge air line, operating a control device that is designed to at least partially regulate the at least one first purge air flow and/or the second purge air flow; and venting the fuel vapor collecting device via the at least one first purge air line and/or via the second purge air line, with by means of the control device and an active control of the purging device, a quantity distribution of an overall purge air stream composed of at least one first and second purge air stream to the first and second purge air line being controlled by means of the control device and an active controlling of the purging device.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control device comprises at least one control valve.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control device comprises at least two control valves, a first control valve being arranged between the purging device and the exhaust gas turbocharger, and at least one second control valve being arranged between the fuel vapor collecting device and the intake manifold.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the purging device comprises at least one purge air pump.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the at least one purge air pump is electrically operable.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control device comprises at least one pressure and temperature sensor that is arranged between the purging device and the air supply system or comprises at least two pressure and temperature sensors, with a pressure and temperature sensor being arranged in a connecting line between the fuel tank and the fuel vapor collecting device, and with a respective pressure and temperature sensor being arranged between the purging device and the air supply system.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control device comprises a third control valve, the third control valve being arranged in the connecting line between the fuel tank and the fuel vapor collecting device.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the quantity distribution of an overall purge air stream occurs as a function of a load determination.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the quantity distribution of the overall purge air stream occurs as a function of a load determination and of a pressure condition in the intake manifold and/or of a pressure condition at in front of the inlet point of the supercharging unit, particularly an inlet point at a compressor of the exhaust gas turbocharger.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein, before the quantity distribution of the overall purge air stream, an at least partial venting operation on the part of the fuel vapor collecting device is always controlled exclusively via the second purge air line.

11. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fuel vapor collecting device comprises at least one activated carbon filter element.

12. A device for tank ventilation of a fuel tank of a vehicle, comprising: at least one first purge air line that is designed to be arranged between a fuel vapor collecting device that is arranged downstream from a fuel tank and an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, so that at least a first purge air stream can be directed downstream from the fuel vapor collecting device in the direction of an internal combustion engine, and a second purge air line that is designed to be arranged between a fuel vapor collecting device that is located downstream from a fuel tank and an air supply system of a supercharging unit, so that a second purge air stream can be directed downstream from the fuel vapor collecting device in the direction of the supercharging unit and subsequently into the internal combustion engine, a purging device being arranged in the second purge air line, a control device designed to regulate the at least one first purge air stream and/or the second purge air stream at least partially, so that a ventilation of the fuel vapor collecting device via the at least one first purge air line and/or via the second purge air line can be controlled by means of the control device and an active control of the purging device, a quantity distribution of an overall purge air stream that is composed of the at least one first and the second purge air stream to the first and second purge air lines being controllable.

13. The device as set forth in claim 12, wherein the purging device comprises at least one purge air pump.

14. The device as set forth in claim 12, wherein the control device has at least two control valves, with a first control valve being arranged between the purging device and the air supply system, and at least one second control valve being arranged between the fuel vapor collecting device and the intake manifold, the control device further comprising at least one pressure and temperature sensor that is arranged between the purging device and the air supply system or at least two pressure and temperature sensors, with one pressure and temperature sensor being arranged between the purging device and the air supply system, and a second pressure/temperature sensor being arranged downstream from the tank, the latter being arranged either in front of or behind the fuel vapor collecting device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The invention will be explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a device for tank ventilation of a fuel tank of a vehicle;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the process sequence of the method according to the invention for tank ventilation of a fuel tank of a vehicle; and

[0036] FIG. 3 shows another flowchart of the process sequence of the method according to the invention for tank ventilation of a fuel tank of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a device 10 for tank ventilation of a fuel tank 12 of a vehicle that is not shown in an installed state. In other words, selected components of the vehicle are thus identifiable, so that the device 10 is illustrated schematically as being appropriately coupled with or connected to these components. As an additional component of the vehicle, an internal combustion engine 14 can also be seen which can be operated with fuel, for example gasoline, from the fuel tank 12. As stated, the fuel is stored in the fuel tank 12, it being possible for the fuel tank 12 to be refueled via a filler neck (not shown in further detail).

[0038] During operation, the fuel is then supplied from the fuel tank 12 via a fuel line (also not shown in further detail) by means of a fuel pump to the internal combustion engine 14, where it is distributed by means of an injection system (also not shown in further detail) to the cylinders 16 of the engine 14. Injection valves of the injection system that are not shown in detail inject the fuel into a combustion chamber before it is fed to the cylinders 16 orin the case of direct-injection enginesdirectly into the cylinder 16.

[0039] The internal combustion engine 14 thus comprises at least one, here four cylinders 16, for example, and can be a (self-igniting) diesel engine or a (spark-ignited) gasoline engine. In the present example, it is a gasoline engine that is ignited by means of spark plugs.

[0040] The combustion air 18 is supplied to the engine 14 by an air supply system 20 as another component of the vehicle that draws the air 18 from the environment and feeds it into the engine 14 via an intake air line 21, an air filter 24, and an air manifold 26, which distributes the air to the cylinders 16. In the depicted example, the combustion air 18 is compressed by a compressor 28 of an exhaust gas turbocharger 30 in order to enable the engine 14 to be operated with increased boost pressure and thus with greater power output. The compressor 28 is driven by a turbine 34 that is disposed in an exhaust system 32 via a shaft. An adjustable throttle valve 36 by means of which the cylinder filling can be controlled or regulated is arranged in the pressure pipe 22 downstream from the compressor 28. Exhaust gas 38 from the engine 14 is ultimately discharged via an exhaust manifold 39 of the exhaust system 32 and then into an exhaust duct 40 that is provided in the exhaust system 32 to the environment. A lambda probe 43 that can be generally used in addition to control purposes is additionally arranged behind the turbine 34 in the exhaust duct 40. The exhaust duct 40 can ultimately lead to an exhaust system (not shown in further detail) in which the exhaust gases 38 can be treated appropriately before being emitted into the environment. The previously mentioned turbine 34 of the exhaust gas turbocharger 30 is arranged in the exhaust duct 40, so that the exhaust gas 38 drives the turbine 34 and thus the compressor 28 while withdrawing kinetic energy.

[0041] From the illustrated fuel tank 12, fuel vapors pass via a connecting line 42 into a fuel vapor collecting device 44, which can comprise one or more activated carbon elements, for example. Starting from this fuel vapor collecting device 44, two purge air lines 46, 48 are shown, these purge air lines 46, 48 being routed together over a distance directly against the fuel vapor collecting device 44. As an example, the fuel vapor collecting device could be installed at least partially in the rear carriage.

[0042] The first purge air line 46 connects the fuel vapor collecting device 44 to an intake manifold 49 and finally via the air manifold 26 to the engine 14, so that at least a first stream of purge air can be directed downstream from the fuel vapor collecting device 44 in the direction of the internal combustion engine 14. The second purge air line 48 thus connects the fuel vapor collecting device 44 to the air supply system 20, so that a second purge air stream can be directed downstream from the fuel vapor collecting device 44 in the direction of the exhaust gas turbocharger 30 and subsequently into the internal combustion engine 14. A purging device 50which can be an electrically operable purge air pump, for exampleis provided in the second purge air line 46. In other words, it is an active purging device 50 in the sense that it is a purging device 50 that can be activated in a user-defined manner. This purging device 50 can be arranged, for example, either at the front end or in the front portion of the vehicle or at the rear end or in the rear portion of the vehicle.

[0043] Furthermore, a first control valve 54, which is part of a superordinate control device 56, is shown shortly before the inlet point 52 into the air supply system 20. A pressure and temperature sensor 58 is also arranged between the purging device 50 and the first control valve 54. A check valve 60 is also shown between the purging device 50 and the fuel vapor collecting device 44. A check valve 60 is also arranged in the first purge air line 46. In addition, a second control valve 62, which is also part of the control device 56, is arranged between the intake manifold 49 and the fuel vapor collecting device 44. The control device 56 can optionally also comprise a third control valve 64. This third control valve 64 is arranged in the connecting line 42. In addition, a pressure and temperature sensor 58 is also arranged in the connecting line 42, this pressure and temperature sensor 58 being arranged between the control valve 64 and the fuel vapor collecting device 44, for example downstream behind the fuel vapor collecting device 44. While this pressure and temperature sensor 58 can further support the presented method in terms of efficient application, it is only to be regarded as optional for a basic variant of the method. The pressure and temperature sensors 58 shown, both in the connecting line 42 and in the second purge air line 48, also belong to the control device 56.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart 100 of the process sequence of the method according to the invention for tank ventilation of a fuel tank 12 of a vehicle. In a first step 110, a fuel vapor collecting device 44 that is arranged downstream from a fuel tank 12 is connected to an intake manifold 49 of an internal combustion engine 14 by means of at least one first purge air line 46, so that at least a first purge air stream can be directed downstream from the fuel vapor collecting device 44 in the direction of the internal combustion engine 14.

[0045] In a second step 120, the fuel vapor collecting device 44 that is arranged downstream from a fuel tank 12 is connected to an air supply system 20 of an exhaust gas turbocharger 30 by means of a second purge air line 48, so that a second purge air stream can be directed downstream from the fuel vapor collecting device 44 in the direction of the exhaust gas turbocharger 30 and subsequently into the internal combustion engine 14, a purging device 50 being provided in the second purge air line 48.

[0046] In a third step 130, a control device 56 is operated which is designed to at least partially regulate the at least one first purge air flow and/or the second purge air flow. In this context, the term operate can be interpreted broadly and thus also includes an initial startup or a general starting routine, so that the control device 56 is switched or brought into a ready-to-operate mode.

[0047] In a fourth step 140, the fuel vapor collecting device 44 is vented via the at least one first purge air line 46 and/or via the second purge air line 48, with by means of the control device 56 and an active control of the purging device 50, a quantity distribution of an overall purge air stream composed of at least one first and second purge air stream to the first and second purge air line 46, 48 being controlled by means of the control device 56 and an active controlling of the purging device 50.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows another flowchart 200 of the process sequence of the method according to the invention for tank ventilation of a fuel tank 12 of a vehicle. This flowchart 200 is only a very rough representation of one possible design variant and does not include, for example, the simultaneous purging via both paths, although this would be quite possible in a manner not shown and in another embodiment. After successful enablement of tank ventilation 210 during engine operation, purging via the second purge air line 48 can be prepared in a first process instruction 220 (activation of path II). In a second process instruction 230, a load determination is carried out. This is followed by a first decision query 240, with the current pressure condition in the intake manifold 49 being determined and evaluated here. If the negative pressure in the intake manifold 49 is sufficient for the purpose of setting a desired purge air mass flow, the third process instruction 250, which provides for purging via the first purge air line 46, follows accordingly. On the other hand, if the purge air mass flow that can be achieved via the first purge air line is considered insufficient based on the prevailing pressure level in the intake manifold 49, the fourth process instruction 260, which provides for purging via the second purge air line 48, follows automatically and immediately. Both process instructions 250, 260 each lead to a first control routine 270, in which the corresponding upstream purges are checked for execution. Subsequently, in the fifth process instruction 280, the load condition after purging is once again checked for plausibility and, in conjunction with a second decision query 290, it is determined to what extent purging mode is still required. If so, the steps in the present activity diagram are repeated appropriately starting from the first decision query 240. If not, stop purging mode 300 is executed, and the process is regarded as having been concluded.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0049] 10 device [0050] 12 fuel tank [0051] 14 combustion engine [0052] 16 cylinder [0053] 18 combustion air [0054] 20 air supply system [0055] 21 intake air line [0056] 22 pressure pipe [0057] 24 air filter [0058] 26 air manifold [0059] 28 compressor [0060] 30 supercharging unit [0061] 32 exhaust system [0062] 34 turbine [0063] 36 throttle valve [0064] 38 exhaust gas [0065] 40 exhaust duct [0066] 42 connection line [0067] 43 lambda sensor [0068] 44 fuel vapor collecting device [0069] 46 first purge air line [0070] 48 second purge air line [0071] 49 intake manifold [0072] 50 purging device [0073] 52 inlet point [0074] 54 first control valve [0075] 56 control device [0076] 58 pressure and temperature sensor [0077] 60 check valve [0078] 62 second control valve [0079] 64 third control valve [0080] 100 flowchart [0081] 110 first step [0082] 120 second step [0083] 130 third step [0084] 140 fourth step [0085] 200 additional flowchart [0086] 210 enabling of tank ventilation [0087] 220 first process instruction [0088] 230 second process instruction [0089] 240 first decision query [0090] 250 third process instruction [0091] 260 fourth process instruction [0092] 270 first control routine [0093] 280 fifth process instruction [0094] 290 second decision query [0095] 300 stop purging mode