OPERATING FLUID CONTAINER SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND METHOD FOR FILLING A FUEL CONTAINER OF AN OPERATING FLUID CONTAINER SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention discloses an operating liquid container system, comprising a fuel container with a fuel fill level sensor, a urea container with a urea fill level sensor, and a tank control device which is connected to the fuel fill level sensor in order to receive data representing a fill level of the fuel container and to the urea fill level sensor in order to receive data representing a fill level of the urea container, wherein the tank control device is designed to determine, taking into consideration the data representing the fill level of the fuel container, a first distance that can be covered with the fuel quantity situated in the fuel container, wherein the tank control device is furthermore designed to determine, taking into consideration the data representing the fill level of the urea container, a second distance that can be covered with the urea quantity situated in the urea container, and wherein the tank control device is furthermore designed to output a warning signal if the first distance is longer than or equal to the second distance.

Claims

1. An operating liquid container system, comprising: a fuel container with a fuel fill level sensor; a urea container with a urea fill level sensor; a tank control device connected to the fuel fill level sensor to receive data representing a fill level of the fuel container and connected to the urea fill level sensor to receive data representing a fill level of the urea container; the tank control device configured to determine, taking into consideration the data representing the fill level of the fuel container, a first distance that is coverable with a fuel quantity in the fuel container; the tank control device configured to determine, taking into consideration the data representing the fill level of the urea container, a second distance that is coverable with a urea quantity in the urea container; the tank control device configured to output a warning signal if the second distance is shorter than or equal to the first distance; the fuel container comprising at least one actuator, the at least one actuator electrically and/or electromagnetically and/or electromechanically actuatable by which an ending of a filling process of the fuel container is initiatable; the tank control device connected to the actuator to transmit signals to the actuator; and the tank control device configured to transmit a filling stop signal to the actuator if the first distance is equal to and/or longer than the second distance.

2. The operating liquid container system of claim 1, further comprising: a display device connected to the tank control device to transmit the warning signal and/or the data representing the fill level of the fuel container and/or the data representing the fill level of the urea container; and the display device configured to display the warning signal and/or the data representing the fill level of the fuel container and/or the data representing the fill level of the urea container.

3. The operating liquid container system of claim 2, wherein the display device is arranged in a vehicle interior compartment and/or in/on a filler-neck compartment and/or in/on a tank flap.

4. The operating liquid container system of claim 1, wherein: the tank control device is configured to receive data representing an inclination of the operating liquid container system; and the tank control device is configured to determine an actual fill level of the fuel container and an actual fill level of the urea container by the data transmitted by the fuel fill level sensor and the data transmitted by the urea fill level sensor and the data representing the inclination of the operating liquid container system.

5. The operating liquid container system of claim 4, further comprising: an inclination sensor; and the inclination sensor is connected to the tank control device to transmit the data representing the inclination of the operating liquid container system to the tank control device.

6. The operating liquid container system of claim 5 wherein the data representing the inclination of the operating liquid container system comprises at least one of data representing an inclination of the fuel container and data representing an inclination of the urea container.

7. The operating liquid container system of claim 1 wherein: the at least one actuator is formed as an operational and/or refueling vent valve arranged in the fuel container; the operational and/or refueling vent valve is electrically and/or electromagnetically and/or electromechanically actuatable between an open position and a closed position; in the open position of the operational and/or refueling vent valve, the fuel container is fluidically connected by the operational and/or refueling vent valve to a vent line; and in the closed position of the operational and/or refueling vent valve, the fuel container is fluidically separated from the vent line by the operational and/or refueling vent valve.

8. The operating liquid container system of claim 1, further comprising: a quality sensor; the tank control device configured to determine a concentration of a urea fraction of a urea solution in the urea container by the quality sensor before and after a filling process of the urea container; the tank control device configured to determine the quantity of the urea solution in the urea container by the urea fill level sensor before and after a filling process of the urea container; and the tank control device configured to calculate the concentration of the urea fraction of the urea solution introduced during the filling process by forming a quotient of the product of the concentration of the urea solution before the filling process with the operating liquid quantity before the filling process, with the operating liquid quantity after the filling process.

9. A method for filling a fuel container of an operating liquid container system, which comprises a urea container in addition to said fuel container, for a motor vehicle, wherein the method comprises the following method steps: determining a fill level of fuel in the fuel container; determining a first distance that is coverable by the motor vehicle with the fuel in the fuel container; determining a fill level of a urea solution in the urea container; determining a second distance that is coverable by the motor vehicle with the urea solution in the urea container, with the urea solution being injected into an exhaust tract of the motor vehicle; and outputting a warning signal if the first distance is longer than or equal to the second distance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Further advantages, details and features of the invention will emerge below from the exemplary embodiment discussed. In the figures:

[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an operating liquid container system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In the description that follows, the same reference designations are used to denote identical components or identical features, such that a description given regarding a component with reference to one FIGURE also applies to the other figures, such that a repeated description will be omitted.

[0043] FIG. 1 schematically shows an operating liquid container system according to the invention, which comprises a fuel container 10 for accommodating fuel K and a urea container 20 for accommodating aqueous urea solution H. The fuel container 10, which may be designed for accommodating gasoline or in particular for accommodating diesel fuel, comprises a fuel fill level sensor 11. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the fuel fill level sensor 11 has a float body which floats on the fuel K, by means of the position of which float body a fill level of the fuel K in the fuel container 10 can be determined. The urea container 20 comprises a urea fill level sensor 21, which in the exemplary embodiment illustrated likewise has a float body which floats on the aqueous urea solution, by means of the position of which float body a fill level of the aqueous urea solution H in the urea container 20 can be determined.

[0044] The fuel container 10 can be filled with fuel K, via a filler pipe 12 which opens into the fuel container 10, by means of a dispensing valve (not illustrated in FIG. 1) that can be inserted into a filler neck 13 of the filler pipe 12. Furthermore, the urea container 20 can be filled with aqueous urea solution H, via a filler pipe 22 which opens into the urea container 20, by means of a dispensing valve (not illustrated in FIG. 1) or by means of a refilling pack, which can be inserted into a filler neck 23 of the filler pipe 22.

[0045] It can also be seen from FIG. 1 that the operating liquid container system according to the invention also comprises a tank control device 30. Here, the tank control device 30 is connected to the fuel fill level sensor 11 by means of a first data line 101 in order to receive data representing a fill level of the fuel container 10. For this purpose, the tank control device 30 has a first data receiving unit 31. The tank control device 30 is furthermore connected to the urea fill level sensor 21 by means of a second data line 102 in order to receive data representing a fill level of the urea container 20. For this purpose, the tank control device 30 has a second data receiving unit 32.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the operating liquid container system furthermore has a display device 40, which is connected to the tank control device 30 by means of a fourth data line 104 for the transmission of data to the display device 40. For this purpose, the tank control device 30 has a second data output unit 35, which can also be referred to as second signal output unit 35.

[0047] The tank control device 30 is designed to determine, taking into consideration the data representing the fill level of the fuel container 10, a first distance that can be covered with the fuel quantity situated in the fuel container 10. In the determination of this first distance, consideration may be given to an average consumption of the motor vehicle in which the operating liquid container system according to the invention is installed, for example from an on-board computer. The tank control device 30 is furthermore designed to determine, taking into consideration the data representing the fill level of the urea container 20, a second distance that can be covered with the urea quantity situated in the urea container 20. Here, the second distance that can be covered with the urea solution situated in the urea container 20 is to be understood in the sense that the urea solution situated in the urea container 20 is sufficient for aqueous urea solution K to be injected into the exhaust tract of the motor vehicle, in an amount sufficient for the denitrification of the exhaust gas, over the entire second distance. Here, the tank control device 30 is designed such that a warning signal is output if the second distance is shorter than or equal to the first distance. Here, the warning signal is transmitted via the second data output unit 35 and by means of the fourth data line 104 to the display device 40.

[0048] It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the display device 40 has a fuel fill level display element 41 for displaying the fuel quantity situated in the fuel container 10. Furthermore, the display device 40 has a first range display element 42, which displays the distance that can be covered with the fuel K situated in the fuel container 10. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the calculated distance that can be covered with the fuel K situated in the fuel container 10 is 980 km. The display device 40 furthermore has a urea solution fill level display element 43 which is designed for displaying the amount of aqueous urea solution H situated in the urea container 20. Furthermore, the display device 40 has a second range display element 44 which displays the distance that can be covered with the urea solution situated in the urea container 20. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the calculated distance that can be covered with the urea H situated in the urea container 20 is 862 km. This means that, in the urea container 20, there is stored an amount of aqueous urea solution H which is such that a distance of 862 km can be covered with the aqueous urea solution H being injected into an exhaust tract of the motor vehicle. Consequently, the first distance is longer than the second distance, such that, by means of the tank control device 30, the warning signal is transmitted to the display device 40 via the second data output unit 35 and via the fourth data line 104. For displaying the warning signal, the display device 40 has a display element 45 which, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, is in the form of a warning lamp 45.

[0049] A warning signal is thus displayed to the refueler of the fuel container 10, such that the refueler is informed that the urea container 20 does not contain sufficient aqueous urea solution H for aqueous urea solution to be injected into the exhaust tract, for denitrification of the exhaust gas, over the entire first distance of 980 km.

[0050] The display device 40 may be installed in a vehicle interior compartment, in particular in/on a dashboard of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the display device 40 may also be arranged in/on a filler-neck compartment and/or in/on a tank flap. In particular, the display device 40 may be arranged on an inner side of a tank flap. Alternatively, and/or in addition, the display device 40 may also take the form of a mobile terminal, for example a mobile telephone/smartphone. In this case, the warning signal and preferably also the data representing the fill levels of the fuel container 10 and/or of the urea container 20 are displayed on the mobile terminal.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the operating liquid container system furthermore comprises an inclination sensor 50 by means of which the inclination of the fuel container 10 and/or of the urea container 20 can be determined. The inclination sensor 50 is connected to the tank control device 30 by means of a third data line 103, wherein the third data line 103 is connected to a third data receiving unit 33 of the tank control device 30. Consequently, the tank control device 30 is furthermore designed to receive not only the data transmitted by the fuel fill level sensor 11 and by the urea fill level sensor 21 but also further data representing an inclination of the operating liquid container system. Here, the tank control device 30 determines an actual fill level of the fuel container 10 and an actual fill level of the urea container 20 by means of the data transmitted by the fuel fill level sensor 11 and by the urea fill level sensor 21 and the data representing the inclination of the operating liquid container system. The fill levels of the fuel container 10 and of the urea container 20 can thus be determined accurately even if the operating liquid container system is in an oblique position.

[0052] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the operating liquid container system, the fuel container 10 has an actuator 14 in the form of an operational vent valve 14 and an actuator 15 in the form of a refueling vent valve 15. The operational vent valve 14 is fluidically connected via an operational vent line 16 and a vent line 18 to the filler neck 13 of the fuel container 10. The refueling vent valve 15 is fluidically connected via a refueling vent line 17 and a vent line 18 likewise to the filler neck 13 of the fuel container 10. The operational vent line 16 and the refueling vent line 17 each open into the vent line 18.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the operational vent valve 14 and/or the refueling vent valve 15 are/is electrically and/or electromagnetically and/or electromechanically adjustable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position of the operational vent valve 14 and/or of the refueling vent valve 15, the fuel container 10 is fluidically connected to the vent line 18 and thus to the filler neck 13. In the closed position of the operational vent valve 14 and of the refueling vent valve 15, the fuel container 10 is, by contrast, fluidically separated from the vent line 18 and thus from the filler neck 13.

[0054] The tank control device 30 may be designed to transmit a filling stop signal to the operational vent valve 14 and/or to the refueling vent valve 15 if the first distance is equal to and/or longer than the second distance. When the filling stop signal is received, the operational vent valve 14 and/or the refueling vent valve 15 are/is transferred into their/its closed position, such that venting of the fuel container 10 is interrupted. Consequently, during continued filling of the fuel tank 10 with fuel K, the pressure within the fuel tank 10 increases, such that a fuel column in the filler pipe 12 rises, until a deactivation opening of a dispensing valve (not illustrated in FIG. 1) is reached, whereupon an outflow of fuel from the dispensing valve is ended.

[0055] By means of a corresponding design of the operating liquid container system, it can be achieved that filling of the fuel container 10 is automatically ended when the distance that can be covered with the quantity of fuel then situated in the fuel container 10 at most corresponds to the distance for which sufficient urea solution H is stored in the urea container 20. It is self-evidently possible after this automatic ending of the filling process for the filling process to be manually continued by the refueler, wherein, for this purpose, at least the refueling vent valve must be transferred back into its open position. This may be performed automatically.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

[0056] 10 Fuel container/motor vehicle tank [0057] 11 Fuel fill level sensor [0058] 12 Filler pipe (of the fuel container) [0059] 13 Filler neck (of the fuel container) [0060] 14 Actuator/operational vent valve [0061] 15 Actuator/refueling vent valve [0062] 16 Operational vent line [0063] 17 Refueling vent line [0064] 18 Vent line [0065] 20 Urea container/SCR container [0066] 21 Urea fill level sensor [0067] 22 Filler pipe (of the urea container) [0068] 23 Filler neck (of the urea container) [0069] 30 Tank control device/tank controlling device [0070] 31 (First) data receiving unit/signal receiving unit [0071] 32 (Second) data receiving unit/signal receiving unit [0072] 33 (Third) data receiving unit/signal receiving unit [0073] 34 (First) data output unit/signal output unit [0074] 35 (Second) data output unit/signal output unit [0075] 40 Display device [0076] 41 Fill level display element for fuel container [0077] 42 First range display element [0078] 43 Fill level display element for urea container [0079] 44 Second range display element [0080] 45 Display element for warning signal [0081] 50 Inclination sensor [0082] 101 (First) data line [0083] 102 (Second) data line [0084] 103 (Third) data line [0085] 104 (Fourth) data line [0086] 105 (Fifth) data line [0087] G Gas volume (in the operating liquid container/motor vehicle tank) [0088] H Urea solution (in the urea container) [0089] K Fuel (in the fuel container)