METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FILLING PROCESS OF AN OPERATING FLUID CONTAINER, AND OPERATING FLUID CONTAINER SYSTEM

Abstract

A method for controlling a filling process of an operating fluid container, which can be filled by a filling device via a filling tube opening into the operating liquid container, wherein the operating fluid container is provided with a venting valve, which can be electrically operated between an open position, in which the operating liquid container is fluidically connected to the atmosphere, at least indirectly, by the venting valve, and a closed position, in which the operating fluid container is fluidically separated from the atmosphere by the venting valve. The method comprises the following method steps: a) moving the venting valve to the open position thereof; b) determining a filling level of the operating fluid container; c) reducing a venting volume flow through the venting valve whenever the filling level of the operating fluid container has reached or exceeded a predetermined shut-off filling level; d) detecting a filling stop of the filling device; and e) moving the venting valve to the closed position thereof after a predetermined time period once the filling stop has been determined.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a filling process of an operating fluid container, which can be filled via a filler pipe opening out into the operating fluid container by a filling device, wherein the operating fluid container has a venting valve, which can be electrically actuated between an open position, in which the operating fluid container is fluidically connected to the atmosphere, at least indirectly, by the venting valve, and a closed position, in which the operating fluid container is fluidically separated from the atmosphere by the venting valve, wherein the method has the following method steps: a) moving the venting valve into its open position; b) determining a filling level of the operating fluid container; c) reducing a venting volume flow through the venting valve if the filling level of the operating fluid container has reached or exceeded a predetermined shut-off filling level; d) determining a filling stop of the filling device; and e) moving the venting valve into its closed position after a predetermined time period after determining the filling stop.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first venting volume flow through the venting valve after a determination that the filling level of the operating fluid container has reached or exceeded the predetermined shut-off filling level, and before the beginning of the predetermined time period, differs from a second venting volume flow through the venting valve during the predetermined time period.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the venting volume flow is changed by intermittently actuating the venting valve between its open position and its closed position.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the following method steps: b1) determining a filling speed at which the operating fluid container is filled with the operating fluid; and b2) determining a reduction of the venting volume flow by which the venting volume flow through the venting valve is reduced after reaching the shut-off filling level, as a function of the filling speed, wherein the reduction of the venting volume flow is falling as the filling speed increases.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the following method steps: f) determining a further filling stop of the filling device; g) setting a venting volume flow through the venting valve when the further filling stop is determined; and h) moving the venting valve into its closed position after a predetermined second time period after determining the filling stop.

6. A method for controlling a filling process of an operating fluid container which can be filled via a filler pipe opening out into the operating fluid container by a filling device, wherein there is arranged in the operating fluid container an electrically actuable outlet valve, which can be electrically actuated between an open position, in which the filler pipe is fluidically connected to an interior space in the operating fluid container by the outlet valve, and a closed position, in which the filler pipe is fluidically separated from the interior space in the operating fluid container by the outlet valve, wherein the method has the following method steps: a) moving the outlet valve into its open position; b) determining a filling level of the operating fluid container; c) reducing an opening cross-sectional area of an opening of the outlet valve fluidically connecting the filler pipe to the interior space in the operating fluid container if the filling level of the operating fluid container has reached or exceeded a predetermined shut-off filling level; d) determining a filling stop of the filling device; and e) moving the outlet valve into its closed position after a predetermined time period after determining the filling stop.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, comprising the following method steps: b1) determining a filling speed at which the operating fluid container is filled with the operating fluid; and b2) determining a reduction of the opening cross-sectional area by which the opening cross-sectional area of the outlet valve is reduced after reaching the shut-off filling level, as a function of the filling speed, wherein the reduction of the opening cross-sectional area is falling as the filling speed increases.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, comprising the following method steps: f) determining a further filling stop of the filling device; g) moving the outlet valve into an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position when the further filling stop is determined; and h) moving the outlet valve into its closed position after a predetermined second time period after determining the filling stop.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined time period is a function of the difference between a target filling level and the determined filling level.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the function is a function monotonously rising with the difference between the target filling level and the determined filling level, wherein, when there is a difference between the target filling level and the determined filling level of zero, the function is likewise zero.

11. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the predetermined second time period is a function of the difference between a target filling level and the determined filling level.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second time period is shorter than the predetermined time period, in which, in method step e), the venting valve or the outlet valve remains in its intermediate position between its open position and its closed position after determining the filling stop.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the following method steps: b1) determining a filling speed at which the operating fluid container is filled with the operating fluid; and b3) determining the predetermined shut-off filling level as a function of the filling speed, wherein the predetermined shut-off filling level is falling as the filling speed increases.

14. An operating fluid container system for a motor vehicle comprising: at least one operating fluid container, in the interior space of which operating fluid container a filler pipe for filling the interior space in the operating fluid container with an operating fluid opens out; at least one venting valve for aerating and/or venting the operating fluid container, wherein the venting valve can be electrically actuated between an open position and a closed position, wherein, in the open position, the interior space in the operating fluid container is fluidically connected to the atmosphere, at least indirectly, by the venting valve, and wherein, in the closed position, the interior space in the operating fluid container is fluidically separated from the atmosphere by the venting valve; at least one filling level sensor for determining a filling level of the operating fluid in the operating fluid container; and an electronic control device, which is coupled to the filling level sensor via a first data line for receiving data, and which is coupled to the venting valve via a second data line for emitting control signals; and wherein the control device is designed to perform a method for controlling a filling process of the operating fluid container as claimed in claim 1.

15. The operating fluid container system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the venting valve can be electrically adjusted discretely between its open position and its closed position.

16. The operating fluid container system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the venting valve is designed as a proportional valve and can be electrically adjusted continuously between an open position and its closed position.

17. The operating fluid container system as claimed in claim 14, comprising the following features: the operating fluid container system also has an electrically actuable outlet valve, which can be electrically actuated between an open position, in which the filler pipe is fluidically connected to the interior space in the operating fluid container, and a closed position, in which the filler pipe is fluidically separated from the interior space in the operating fluid container by the outlet valve; and the control device is designed to perform a method for controlling a filling process of the operating fluid container as claimed in claim 6.

18. The operating fluid container system as claimed in claim 14, comprising the following features: the operating fluid container system has a sound sensor, by which a filling stop of a filling device inserted into the filler pipe can be detected; and the sound sensor is connected by a data line (64) to the control device for transmitting data representing the filling stop to the control device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0140] Further advantages, details and features of the invention emerge below from the exemplary embodiments explained. Here, specifically:

[0141] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of a method according to the invention for controlling a filling process of an operating fluid container;

[0142] FIG. 2 shows three diagrams for representing the filling level within a filler pipe, the filling level of the operating fluid container and the venting volume flow through the venting valve during filling of an operating fluid container by the method according to the invention; and

[0143] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of an operating fluid container system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0144] In the description which now follows, the same designations denote the same components or the same features, and so a description given for a component with regard to one figure also applies to the other figures, thereby avoiding a repetitive description. Furthermore, individual features that have been described in conjunction with one embodiment can also be used separately in other embodiments.

[0145] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of a method according to the invention for controlling a filling process of an operating fluid container 10, which is schematically represented in FIG. 3.

[0146] The operating fluid container 10 is part of an operating fluid container system represented in FIG. 3. This comprises at least one operating fluid container 10, which in the exemplary embodiment represented is designed as a fuel container 10. A filler pipe 20 for filling the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container with an operating fluid opens out into the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container. By means of a filling device 80, designed as a fuel-pump nozzle 80, an operating fluid, in the present exemplary embodiment fuel, can be filled into the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container via the filler pipe 20. The operating fluid container system also has at least one venting valve 30 for aerating and/or venting the operating fluid container 10. In this case, the venting valve 30 can be electrically moved or actuated between an open position and a closed position. Provided for the actuation of the venting valve 30 is an actuator, which in FIG. 3 is schematically represented to the right of the venting valve 30. In the open position of the venting valve 30, the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container is fluidically connected to the atmosphere by means of the venting valve 30. In the case of the exemplary embodiment represented, the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container is fluidically connected indirectly to the atmosphere by means of a venting line 31, which opens out into an adsorption filter 70, designed in the present exemplary embodiment as an activated-carbon filter 70. In the closed position of the venting valve 30, the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container is fluidically separated from the atmosphere by means of the venting valve 30.

[0147] The operating fluid container system also has an electrically actuable outlet valve 40, which is arranged at an end of the filler pipe 20 that opens out into the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container. The outlet valve 40 may also be referred to as a nonreturn valve 40 and/or as a check valve 40. Furthermore, it is also possible that the outlet valve 40 may be arranged in the filler pipe 40. The outlet valve 40 can be electrically actuated or adjusted between an open position, in which the filler pipe 20 is fluidically connected to the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container, and a closed position, in which the filler pipe 20 is fluidically separated from the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container by means of the outlet valve 40. The outlet valve 40 is preferably provided with a mechanical nonreturn function/nonreturn element, so that the outlet valve 40 has a nonreturn element with additional enforced closing.

[0148] Arranged in the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container is a filling level sensor 50 for determining a filling level of the operating fluid in the operating fluid container 10. In the exemplary embodiment represented, the filling level sensor 50 is designed as a lever indicator 50, which has a float 51, which is connected to the filling level sensor 50 via a lever. The operating fluid container system also has an electronic control device 60, which may also be referred to as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The operating fluid container system also has a structure-borne sound sensor device 90, which in the exemplary embodiment represented has two sound sensors 90 or microphones 90. One sound sensor 90 is fastened on the filler pipe 20, and a further sound sensor 90 is fastened on the operating fluid container 10. It goes without saying that the structure-borne sound sensor device 90 may also have just a single sound sensor 90 or more than two sound sensors 90. By means of the sound sensors 90, a noise that is characteristic of when there is a filling stop of the filling device 80 can be detected. The electronic control device 60 is connected via a first data line 61 to the filling level sensor 50, wherein data representing the filling level of the operating fluid container 10 can be transmitted via the first data line 61 from the filling level sensor 50 to the electronic control device 60. The electronic control device 60 is additionally connected via a second data line 62 to the venting valve 30. Via the second data line 62, control signals can be transmitted from the electronic control device 60 to the venting valve 30. Furthermore, the electronic control device 60 is connected via a third data line 63 to the outlet valve 40. Via the third data line 63, control signals can be transmitted from the electronic control device 60 to the outlet valve 40. The electronic control device 60 is also connected via fourth data lines 64 to the sound sensors 90. Via the fourth data lines 64, signals/data signaling a filling stop can be transmitted from the sound sensors 90 to the electronic control device 60.

[0149] In the following text, a method for controlling a filling process of the operating fluid container 10 is described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0150] If a filling event is detected, detectable for example via a sensor within the filler pipe 20 or within a filler nozzle arranged at the end of the filler pipe 20 remote from the operating fluid container 10, in a method step A an opening control signal is emitted by the electronic control device 60 to the venting valve 30, whereupon the venting valve 30 is moved into its open position, in which the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container is fluidically connected indirectly to the atmosphere via the venting line 31 and the activated-carbon filter 70. Furthermore, in method step A an opening control signal is emitted by the electronic control device 60 to the outlet valve 40, whereupon the outlet valve 40 is moved into its open position, in which the filler pipe 20 is fluidically connected to the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container.

[0151] Subsequently, in a method step B a filling level of the operating fluid container 10 is determined. The filling level is determined by means of the filling level sensor 50, which in the exemplary embodiment represented is designed as a lever indicator. It goes without saying that the filling level sensor 40 may also be designed in any other desired way known from the prior art. The filling level sensor 50 transmits data representing the filling level of the operating fluid container 10 to the electronic control device 60.

[0152] Subsequently, in a method step B1 it is checked by means of the electronic control device 60 whether the filling level, which may also be referred to as the actual filling level, of the operating fluid container 10 has reached or exceeded a predetermined shut-off filling level. If the filling level of the operating fluid container 10 is below the predetermined shut-off filling level, the method returns to method step B, whereas the method moves on to method step C if the filling level of the operating fluid container 10 has reached or exceeded the predetermined shut-off filling level.

[0153] In FIG. 2, the predetermined shut-off filling level is 95% of a target filling level of the operating fluid container 10.

[0154] In method step C, a reducing control signal is transmitted by the electronic control device 60 via the second data line 62 to the venting valve 30, whereupon a venting volume flow through the venting valve 30 is reduced, it still being ensured that the operating fluid container 10 continues to remain fluidically connected to the atmosphere by means of the venting valve 30.

[0155] As an alternative or in addition, in method step C a (further) reducing control signal is transmitted by the electronic control device 60 via the third data line 63 to the outlet valve 40, whereupon an opening cross-sectional area of the outlet valve 40 is reduced, it still being ensured that the operating fluid container 10 continues to remain fluidically connected to the filler pipe 20.

[0156] In the lower diagram of FIG. 2 it can be seen that, when the reducing control signal is received, the venting volume flow through the venting valve 30 is reduced to 50% of a maximum venting volume flow. Since the venting volume flow is reduced, a positive pressure builds up within the operating fluid container 10. This has the consequence that the operating fluid introduced into the filler pipe 20 can flow away more slowly into the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container. This can be seen from the middle diagram of FIG. 2, by the smaller slope of the filling curve after reaching the shut-off filling level. On account of the pressure buildup in the operating fluid container 10, the operating fluid level rises within the filler pipe 20, as can be seen from the upper diagram of FIG. 2. The operating fluid in this case rises up in the filler pipe 20 until a filling stop is performed by the filling device 80.

[0157] In a method step D, it is determined whether a filling stop of the filling device 80 has been performed. The filling stop is determined by means of the sound sensor 90. The sound sensors 90 transmit via the fourth data lines 64 a signal representing a filling stop to the electronic control device 60. If no filling stop has been performed, the method stays in method step D, whereas the method moves on to method step E if a filling stop has been determined.

[0158] The filling stop can be seen in the upper diagram of FIG. 2, since the operating fluid level reaches a first maximum in the filler pipe 20.

[0159] After the elapse of a predetermined first time period t1, in method step E a closing control signal is transmitted from the electronic control device 60 via the second data line 62 to the venting valve 30, whereupon the venting valve 30 fluidically separates the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container from the atmosphere. Although it is not represented in the figures, a first venting volume flow through the venting valve 30 after the determination that the filling level of the operating fluid container 10 has reached or exceeded the predetermined shut-off filling level, and before the beginning of the predetermined time period t1, may differ from a second venting volume flow through the venting valve 30 during the predetermined time period t1. For example, the first venting volume flow may be less than the second venting volume flow. The first venting volume flow may also be greater than the second venting volume flow.

[0160] As an alternative or in addition, after the elapse of the predetermined first time period t1, in method step E a closing control signal is transmitted from the electronic control device 60 via the third data line 63 to the outlet valve 40, whereupon the outlet valve 40 fluidically separates the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container from the filler pipe 20.

[0161] It can be seen from the upper diagram of FIG. 2 that the operating fluid level within the filler pipe 20 falls during the first time period t1 to a predetermined level within the filler pipe 20. During this time period, operating fluid that is in the filler pipe 20 continues to flow into the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container, which can be seen from the rising filling level of the operating fluid container 10 during the time period t1. It can be seen from the lower diagram of FIG. 2 that, after the elapse of the predetermined time period t1, the venting valve 20 and/or the outlet valve 40 is moved into its/their closed position.

[0162] If, after ending the filling process, the person filling the tank fills further operating fluid into the filler pipe 20 by means of the filling device 80, the operating fluid level rises up within the filler pipe 20, since the venting valve 30 and/or the outlet valve 40 is/are closed. The rising of the operating fluid level within the filler pipe 20 can be seen in the upper diagram of FIG. 2.

[0163] In a method step F, it is determined whether a further filling stop of the filling device 80 has been performed. The filling stop is determined by means of one of the sound sensors 90. The sound sensors 90 transmit a signal representing a filling stop via the fourth data lines 64 to the electronic control device 60. If no filling stop has been performed, the method stays in method step F, whereas the method moves on to method step G if a further filling stop has been determined.

[0164] In method step G, an opening control signal or a series of intermittent opening control signals and closing control signals is/are transmitted from the electronic control device 60 via the second data line 62 to the venting valve 30, so that a given venting volume flow is established via the venting valve 30. It can be seen from the lower diagram of FIG. 2 that, in the exemplary embodiment represented, a venting volume flow is 50% of the maximum venting volume flow.

[0165] As an alternative or in addition, in method step G a (further) opening control signal is transmitted from the electronic control device 60 via the third data line 63 to the outlet valve 40, whereupon the outlet valve 40 is moved into an intermediate position between its open position and its closed position.

[0166] Since the venting volume flow through the venting valve 30 is reduced, a positive pressure builds up within the operating fluid container 10 during the topping up. This has the consequence that the operating fluid introduced into the filler pipe 20 can flow away more slowly into the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container. On account of the pressure buildup in the operating fluid container 10, the operating fluid level rises within the filler pipe 20, as can be seen from the upper diagram of FIG. 2. The operating fluid in this case rises up in the filler pipe 20 until a filling stop is performed by the filling device 80.

[0167] After the elapse of a predetermined second time period t2, in method step H a closing control signal is transmitted from the electronic control device 60 via the second data line 62 to the venting valve 30, whereupon the venting valve 30 fluidically separates the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container from the atmosphere.

[0168] As an alternative or in addition, after the elapse of the predetermined second time period t2, in method step H a closing control signal is transmitted from the electronic control device 60 via the third data line 63 to the outlet valve 40, whereupon the outlet valve 40 fluidically separates the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container from the filler pipe 20.

[0169] It can be seen from the upper diagram of FIG. 2 that the operating fluid level within the filler pipe 20 falls during the second time period t2 to a predetermined level within the filler pipe 20. During this time period, operating fluid that is in the filler pipe 20 continues to flow into the interior space 11 in the operating fluid container, which can be seen from the rising filling level of the operating fluid container 10 during the time period t2. It can be seen from the lower diagram of FIG. 2 that, after the elapse of the predetermined second time period t2, the venting valve 20 and/or the outlet valve 40 is moved into its/their closed position.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0170] 10 Operating fluid container/tank [0171] 11 Interior space in the operating fluid container [0172] 20 pipe [0173] 30 Venting valve [0174] 31 Venting line [0175] 40 Outlet valve/nonreturn valve/check valve [0176] 50 Filling level sensor [0177] 51 Float (of the filling level sensor) [0178] 60 Electronic control device [0179] 61 First data line (between electronic control device and filling level sensor) [0180] 62 Second data line (between electronic control device and venting valve) [0181] 63 Third data line (between electronic control device and outlet valve) [0182] 64 Fourth data line (between electronic control device and structure-borne sound sensor) [0183] 70 Filter/adsorption filter/activated-carbon filter [0184] 80 Filling device/fuel-pump nozzle [0185] 90 Sound sensor/structure-borne sound sensor/vibration sensor/microphone [0186] t1 (First) predetermined time period [0187] t2 Second predetermined time period