LIQUID TRANSFER DEVICE AND A TANK ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH A TRANSFER DEVICE

Abstract

This transfer device includes at least one body defining at least partially a transfer conduit having a first orifice and a second orifice, and one heating member arranged at least partially in the body so as to heat the at least one transfer conduit. The first orifice and the second orifice are offset i) on the one hand, along a first direction, and ii) on the other hand, along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A transfer device, for transferring a liquid between a tank and a supply module, the transfer device being intended to be placed in the tank and close to a bottom of the tank, the transfer device comprising at least: a body defining at least partially at least one transfer conduit, said at least one transfer conduit having a first orifice and a second orifice, and a heating member arranged at least partially in the body so as to heat said at least one transfer conduit; wherein the first orifice and the second orifice are offset i) on the one hand, along a first direction, and ii) on the other hand, along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.

18. The transfer device according to claim 17, wherein the body and said at least one transfer conduit are arranged so that the first direction is substantially vertical when the transfer device is placed in the tank in service configuration.

19. The transfer device according to claim 17, wherein the heating member comprises a first heating portion and a second heating portion, which are arranged so that the altitude of the first heating portion is lower than the altitude of the second heating portion when the transfer device is placed in the tank in service configuration, the first heating portion extending transversely to the second heating portion.

20. The transfer device according to claim 19, wherein the first heating portion extends on either side of the first orifice, and wherein the second heating portion extends on either side of the first orifice.

21. The transfer device according to claim 17, wherein the heating member has generally the shape of a ring extending over an angle comprised between 250 degrees and 360 degrees, the first orifice being located on or close to the ring.

22. The transfer device according to claim 17, further comprising a securing portion configured to secure the transfer device to the tank.

23. The transfer device according to claim 17, wherein the heating member is arranged completely in the body.

24. The transfer device according to claim 17, wherein the heating member is configured to convert electrical energy into thermal energy, the heating member comprising electrical resistances.

25. The transfer device according to claim 17, further comprising electrical connectors which are electrically connected to the heating member and which extend at least partially out of the body.

26. The transfer device according to claim 17, further comprising a connecting element which is fluidically connected to the second orifice, the connecting element being configured to fluidically connect said at least one transfer conduit to the supply module.

27. The transfer device according to claim 17, wherein said at least one transfer conduit comprises at least one first section and one second section, the first section and the second section being oriented respectively along a first line and a second line which are intersecting with and transverse to each other.

28. The transfer device according to claim 17, further comprising a filter connected to the first orifice.

29. A tank assembly, for storing a liquid, the tank assembly comprising: a tank configured to contain the liquid, the tank having a bottom presenting i) a bottom opening configured for the passage of the liquid and ii) a protruding portion which is shaped protruding towards the inner of the tank so as to define a cavity external to the tank under said protruding portion, a transfer device according to claim 17, the transfer device being placed in the tank and close to the bottom so that the heating member extends at least partially around the protruding portion, the transfer device and the tank being arranged so that the second orifice is positioned facing the bottom opening.

30. The tank assembly according to claim 29, further comprising a sealing member which is arranged between the transfer device and the tank.

31. The tank assembly according to claim 30, wherein the transfer device further comprises electrical connectors which are electrically connected to the heating member and which extend at least partially out of the body, and a connecting element which is fluidically connected to the second orifice, the connecting element being configured to fluidically connect said at least one transfer conduit to the supply module, the electrical connectors and the connecting element passing through the bottom opening when the tank assembly is in assembled configuration.

32. The tank assembly according to claim 29, wherein the bottom opening has a surface area smaller than 500 mm.sup.2.

Description

[0091] The present invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear in the light of the description that follows, given only as a non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended schematic figures, in which identical reference numerals correspond to structurally and/or functionally identical or similar elements. In the appended schematic figures:

[0092] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a transfer device in accordance with the invention;

[0093] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the transfer device of FIG. 1;

[0094] FIG. 3 is an exploded top perspective view of a lower portion of a tank assembly in accordance with the invention and comprising the transfer device of FIG. 1;

[0095] FIG. 4 is an assembled top perspective view at a larger scale of a detail of the lower portion of the tank assembly of FIG. 3;

[0096] FIG. 5 is an assembled bottom perspective view of the lower portion of the tank assembly of FIG. 3;

[0097] FIG. 6 is a view at a larger scale of the detail VI in FIG. 5;

[0098] FIG. 7 is a section, along the plane VII in FIG. 3, of the lower portion of the tank assembly of FIG. 3 in assembled configuration;

[0099] FIG. 8 is a section, along the plane VIII parallel to the plane VII, of the lower portion of the tank assembly of FIG. 3 in assembled configuration;

[0100] FIG. 9 is a view at a larger scale of the detail IX in FIG. 8;

[0101] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 and illustrating a variant at the lower portion of the tank assembly of FIG. 3;

[0102] FIG. 11 is a perspective view which illustrates a portion of the transfer device of FIG. 1 and which is partially truncated so as to illustrate the first and second heating portions;

[0103] FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 and illustrating a transfer device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and

[0104] FIG. 13 is a perspective view, at an angle different from FIG. 12, illustrating the transfer device of FIG. 12.

[0105] FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11 illustrate a transfer device 1 which has in particular the function of transferring a liquid between a tank 101 and a supply module 110, partially visible in FIGS. 3 and 7, then toward a downstream conduit 201 visible in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 7. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 9, the liquid is an aqueous urea solution.

[0106] FIG. 3 illustrates the lower portion of a tank assembly 100 which has in particular the function of storing the aqueous urea solution in a motor vehicle which is not represented. The tank assembly 100 comprises the transfer device 1 and the tank 101. The tank 101 has a bottom 102 and it is configured to contain the liquid. The tank 101 further comprises an upper half-shell which is not represented. This upper half-shell forms the upper portion of the tank assembly 100.

[0107] The transfer device comprises a body 2 and a heating member 4. The body 2 defines a substantial portion of a transfer conduit 6. The heating member 4 herein is arranged completely in the body 2 so as to heat the transfer conduit 6.

[0108] The transfer conduit 6 has a first orifice 6.1 and a second orifice 6.2, visible in FIG. 9. The transfer conduit 6 extends between the first orifice 6.1 and the second orifice 6.2. The first orifice 6.1 is configured for the passage of the liquid when the transfer device 1 is in service in the tank assembly 100. The second orifice 6.2 is configured for the passage of the liquid when the transfer device 1 is in service in the tank assembly 100.

[0109] Depending on the direction of circulation of the liquid when the transfer device 1 is placed in the tank 101 in service configuration, the first orifice 6.1 may form an inlet or an outlet of the transfer conduit 6. Conversely, the second orifice 6.2 may form an outlet or an inlet of the transfer conduit 6.

[0110] On the one hand, the first orifice 6.1 and the second orifice 6.2 are offset along a first direction Z6. On the other hand, the first orifice 6.1 and the second orifice 6.2 are offset along a second direction X6. The second direction X6 is perpendicular to the first direction Z6.

[0111] According to one variant which is not represented, the first orifice and the second orifice may be shifted along a third direction Y6, perpendicular to the first direction and to the second direction.

[0112] The body 2 and the transfer conduit 6 are arranged so that the first direction Z6 is substantially vertical when the transfer device 1 is in service configuration. Thus, the first orifice 6.1 and the second orifice 6.2 are placed at different altitudes when the transfer device 1 is in service configuration. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 9, the altitude of the first orifice 6.1 is lower than the altitude of the second orifice 6.2 when the transfer device 1 is in service configuration.

[0113] In the example of FIGS. 1 to 9, the transfer conduit 6 comprises a first section 7.1, a second section 7.2 and a third section 7.3, which are visible in FIG. 9. The first section 7.1, the second section 7.2 and the third section 7.3 are joined in pairs. Furthermore, the transfer conduit 6 comprises a fourth section which is formed by the second orifice 6.2.

[0114] The first section 7.1, the second section 7.2 and the third section 7.3 are oriented respectively along a first line L7.1, along a second line L7.2 and along a third line L7.3. The first line L7.1 and the second line L7.2 are intersecting with and transverse to each other. The second line L7.2 and the third line L7.3 are intersecting and transverse with each other. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 9, each of the first section 7.1, second section 7.2 and third section 7.3 is rectilinear.

[0115] The first section 7.1, the second section 7.2 and the third section 7.3 form the first offset and the second offset between the first orifice 6.1 and the second orifice 6.2 respectively along the first direction Z6 and the second direction X6. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 9, the first orifice 6.1 and the second orifice 6.2 are offset along the first direction Z6 by a distance DZ6 equal to about 45 mm; and the first orifice 6.1 and the second orifice 6.2 are offset along the second direction X6 by a distance DX6 equal to about 53 mm.

[0116] In service configuration, the transfer device 1 is placed in the tank 101 and close to the bottom 102 of the tank 101. The bottom 102 presents a bottom opening 103 which is visible in FIG. 3. The bottom opening 103 is configured for the passage of the liquid, because it may be crossed by a connecting element 10, as described hereinafter and which can channel the liquid.

[0117] In addition, the bottom 102 presents a protruding portion 104 or counter-form. The protruding portion 104 is shaped projecting towards the inner of the tank 101, so as to define an external cavity 106 outside of the tank 101 and under the protruding portion 104, and therefore under the tank 101. As is shown in FIG. 7, the external cavity 106 houses the supply module 110 with minimum space requirement.

[0118] In service configuration, the heating member 4 extends partially around the protruding portion 104. The transfer device 1 and the tank 101 are arranged so that the second orifice 6.2 is positioned facing the bottom opening 103.

[0119] The heating member 4 comprises a first heating portion 4.1 and a second heating portion 4.2. The altitude of the first heating portion 4.1 is lower than the altitude of the second heating portion 4.2 when the transfer device 1 is in service configuration.

[0120] The first heating portion 4.1 extending transversely to the second heating portion 4.2. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 9, the second heating portion 4.2 is substantially perpendicular to the first heating portion 4.1. Thus, the first heating portion 4.1 extends over a first surface and, the second heating portion 4.2 extends over a second surface which is transverse to the first surface 4.1.

[0121] The first heating portion 4.1 herein is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the transfer device 1 is in service configuration. In service, the first heating portion 4.1 can heat an area of the bottom 102.

[0122] The second heating portion 4.2 is configured to extend substantially vertically when the transfer device 1 is in service configuration. In service, the second heating portion 4.2 can heat a portion of the transfer conduit 6.

[0123] The body 2 is composed of a polymer material, in this instance a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which allows welding the body 2 on the tank 101. The heating member 4 is completely overmolded in this polymer material. Thus, the body 2 has a complex three-dimensional shape which is well adapted to the geometry of the bottom 102.

[0124] The first heating portion 4.1 extends on either side of the first orifice 6.1. Similarly, the second heating portion 4.2 extends on either side of the first orifice 6.1 and on either side of the second section 7.2. Thus, the first heating portion 4.1 and the second heating portion 4.2 allow heating a large area of the bottom 102.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 11, the heating member 4 further comprises a third heating portion 4.3 which is arranged to heat the third section 7.3.

[0126] When viewed from the top, the body 2 has generally the shape of a C or of an open ring extending over an angle equal to about 270 degrees. Similarly, the heating member 4 has generally the shape of a C, therefore of an open ring. The first orifice 6.1 is located on this open ring.

[0127] The heating member 4 is configured to convert electrical energy into thermal energy. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 9, the heating member 4 comprises electrical resistances.

[0128] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the transfer device 1 further comprises electrical connectors 8 which are electrically connected to the heating member 4 and which extend partially out of the body 2. Each of the electrical connectors 8 extends close to the second orifice 6.2.

[0129] When the tank assembly 100 is in service configuration, the electrical connectors 8 electrically connect the heating member 4 to an external electric source which is not represented, so as to supply electric power to the heating member 4.

[0130] Furthermore, the transfer device 1 comprises a connecting element 10 which is fluidically, in particular hydraulically, connected to the second orifice 6.2. The connecting element 10 being configured to fluidically connect the transfer conduit 6 to the supply module 110, therefore to the downstream conduit 201.

[0131] In the example of FIGS. 1 to 9, the connecting element 10 extends between the electrical connectors 8. The connecting element 10 herein is formed by a nozzle pierced by a central bore intended for the passage of the liquid. This nozzle may be selected among nozzles recommended by the international organization SAE Society of Automotive Engineers.

[0132] The electrical connectors 8 and the connecting element 10 delimit a joining surface 111, which is symbolized in FIG. 3 and which is intended to be located between the transfer device 1 and the tank 101 when the tank assembly 100 is in service configuration. The joining surface 111 has a surface area equal to about 1000 mm.sup.2. The bottom opening 103 has a surface area equal to about 450 mm.sup.2.

[0133] The electrical connectors 8 and the connecting element 10 pass through the bottom opening 103 when the tank assembly 100 is in assembled configuration (FIG. 7). The bottom opening 103 herein has an oblong shape. The connecting element 10 occupies a central region of the bottom opening 103. The connecting element 10 is located between the electrical connectors 8.

[0134] Moreover, the transfer device 1 further comprises two closure components, namely a first closure component 14 and a second closure component 15. Each of the first and second closure components 14 and 15 is secured to the body 2 so as to define a portion of the transfer conduit 6.

[0135] Each of the first and second closure components 14 and 15 comprises a plate which herein has a planar surface arranged so as to define a respective portion of the transfer conduit 6. The first closure component 14 defines a portion of the first section 7.1. The second closure component 15 defines a portion of the third section 7.3.

[0136] In addition, the transfer device 1 comprises a filter 18 which is connected to the first orifice 6.1. The filter 18 may be immobilized with respect to the first orifice 6.1 by a plastic weld on the body 2. The transfer device 1 may comprise an 0-ring gasket compressed between the first orifice 6.1 and the filter 18. In service, the liquid entering the transfer conduit 6 via the first orifice 6.1 is filtered by the filter 18.

[0137] As is shown in FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, the tank assembly 100 further comprises: [0138] a securing member 114 which is arranged so as to secure the transfer device 1 and the tank 101; and [0139] a sealing member 116 which is arranged between the transfer device 1 and the tank 101.

[0140] In the example of FIG. 9, the sealing member 116 is formed by a sealing gasket which is compressed, around the bottom opening 103, between the transfer device 1 and the bottom 102.

[0141] The tank assembly 100 further comprises an additional sealing gasket 118 and a lip seal 119 each having an annular-shape. The additional sealing gasket 118 is compressed between the connecting element 10 and the supply module 110. Thus, the additional sealing gasket 118 achieves sealing of the hydraulic circuit. The lip seal 119 is compressed between an external wall of the tank 101 and the supply module 110.

[0142] FIG. 10 illustrates a tank assembly 100 and a transfer device 1 in accordance with a second embodiment. To the extent that the tank assembly 100 and the transfer device 1 of FIG. 10 are similar to the tank assembly 100 and to the transfer device 1 of FIGS. 1 to 9 and 11, the description of the tank assembly 100 and of the transfer device 1 given hereinabove in relation to FIGS. 1 to 9 and 11 may be transposed to the tank assembly 100 and to the transfer device 1 of FIG. 10, with the exception of the notable differences set out hereinafter.

[0143] The tank assembly 100 of FIG. 10 differs from the tank assembly 100 of FIGS. 1 to 9 and 11, in particular because the tank assembly 100 of FIG. 10 comprises a securing member 114 which is formed by an annular weld disposed around the bottom opening 103. This annular weld also forms a first sealing member.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 10, the securing member 114 is a thermoplastic weld bead. The securing member 114 is formed by a weld between the body 2 and the bottom 102 under the third portion 4.3 of the heating member 4.

[0145] In addition, the tank assembly 100 of FIG. 10 comprises an additional sealing gasket 118 and a lip seal 119, like the tank assembly 100 of FIGS. 1 to 9 and 11.

[0146] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a transfer device 1 in accordance with a second embodiment. To the extent that the transfer device 1 of FIGS. 12 and 13 is similar to the transfer device 1 of FIGS. 1 to 9 and 11, the description of the transfer device 1 given hereinabove in relation to FIGS. 1 to 9 and 11 may be transposed to the tank assembly 100 and to the transfer device 1 of FIGS. 12 and 13, with the exception of the notable differences set out hereinafter.

[0147] The transfer device 1 of FIGS. 12 and 13 differs from the transfer device 1 of FIGS. 1 to 9 and 11, in particular because the third section 7.3 is formed by the connecting element 10. In the example of FIGS. 12 and 13, the third section 7.3 and the connecting element 10 are rectilinear and substantially horizontal when the transfer device 1 is in service configuration.

[0148] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described in the present patent application, nor is it limited to embodiments within the reach of those skilled in the art. Other embodiments may be considered without departing from the scope of the invention, from any element equivalent to an element indicated in the present patent application.