FR3020355A1 - FILLING DEVICE, FILLING ASSEMBLY, LIQUID RESERVOIR, MOTOR VEHICLE AND METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for filling (10) a liquid circuit (2) for a motor vehicle, the filling device (10) being adapted to receive a filling tool (20) and comprising: an inlet opening (38); a conduit (40) which extends into the liquid circuit (2) downstream of the inlet opening (38) and which has a wall (42) having a first inner diameter (D40); and a guide member (50) which is disposed in the pipe (40) and which forms a means for extending the filling tool (20). The filling device (10) is characterized in that the guide member (50) has a cylindrical wall (56) delimiting a channel (60) for receiving the filling tool (20) in a sealing section cylindrical (62), which channel (60) has a second inner diameter (D60) smaller than the first inner diameter (D40) of the conduit (40). The invention also relates to a filling assembly (5), a liquid reservoir (3), a motor vehicle and a method of implementation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device for filling a liquid circuit for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a filling assembly comprising such a filling device and a filling tool. The invention also relates to a liquid reservoir and a motor vehicle comprising such a filling device. The invention also relates to a method for implementing such a filling device.

In a motor vehicle, several systems are equipped with a liquid circuit: engine, transmission, power steering, cooling system, braking system, etc. Each of these systems is provided with a liquid reservoir, either internal such as the engine oil reservoir, typically located at the bottom of the engine, or external such as the coolant reservoir.

In the factory of the manufacturer of a motor vehicle, the liquid circuit is filled by an operator using a tool provided for this purpose, for example a fast filling gun, introduced into the liquid tank. In practice, the operator actuates the tool according to a filling sequence including particular cycles. In the first place, the operator carries out an empty cycle to purge the air present in the circuit. Then, the operator carries out a cycle under pressure to fill the circuit. Finally, the operator performs a suction cycle to adjust the final level of liquid in the circuit. During the suction cycle, the final level of liquid is generally adjusted at the end of the filling tool, and therefore depends on the length of this tool. Under these conditions, the specifications require the designer of the tank to provide a specific distance between the neck of the tank, specifically its upper edge, and the maximum level of liquid in the tank. However, other design constraints may come into play, such as the mechanical strength of the reservoir and the expansion volume of the liquid circuit, corresponding to the volume above the maximum level of liquid in the reservoir.

This expansion volume is precisely defined, depending on the volume of the liquid circuit and the thermal expansion of the liquid. When the manufacturer's plant is intended to assemble a single type of vehicle, then only one filling tool is sufficient. When several types of vehicles are assembled on the same assembly line, the operator may be required to use several filling tools of different lengths, or a single adjustable tool, with risks of error.

FR-A-2 953 792 discloses a device for filling a liquid circuit. The device comprises a pipe belonging to a liquid reservoir. The device also comprises a leveling member of the liquid in the tank. This member may be positioned downstream of the pipe or in the pipe. This member comprises an upstream portion of frustoconical shape and a downstream portion of cylindrical shape. To fill the reservoir, a filling tool is positioned in support in the frustoconical portion of the body. In other words, the seal between the member and the tool is made on a conical section. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved filling device. For this purpose, the invention relates to a device for filling a liquid circuit for a motor vehicle, the filling device being adapted to receive a filling tool and comprising: an inlet opening; a pipe which extends into the liquid circuit downstream of the inlet opening and which has a wall 15 having a first inner diameter; and a guide member which is disposed in the pipe and which forms a means for extending the filling tool. The filling device is characterized in that the guide member comprises a cylindrical wall delimiting a receiving channel of the filling tool according to a cylindrical sealing section, this channel having a second internal diameter smaller than the first internal diameter. of driving. Thus, the invention makes it possible to simplify the filling of the liquid circuit, as well as the design of the tool, the circuit and the reservoir. The guide member facilitates the introduction of the filling tool into the device, and then the completion of the filling sequence. A single filling tool having a defined length can be used regardless of the position of the maximum level of liquid in the tank belonging to the liquid circuit. In addition, sealing on a cylindrical section is more reliable than sealing on a conical section. According to other advantageous features of the invention, taken separately or in combination: The guide member comprises an upstream orifice which has a gradual reduction in diameter until it reaches the second internal diameter, this upstream orifice being configured to guide the filling tool into the canal. - The guide member is fixed to the wall of the pipe, for example by welding, clipping or pinching. The guide member is integral with the wall of the pipe. - The guide member comprises a body and a tubular extension defining the channel together, the tubular extension being formed protruding at a downstream end of the body. - The guide member comprises an internal seal positioned in the channel and provided to grip the filling tool. The invention also relates to a filling assembly, comprising a filling device as mentioned above; and a filling tool provided to be introduced into the filling device to fill the liquid circuit. The filling tool comprises a head inserted into the channel to fill the liquid circuit. Preferably, the filling tool also comprises an outer seal fitted against the wall of the channel, in particular when the guide member does not have an internal seal positioned in the channel. The invention also relates to a liquid tank for a motor vehicle, comprising a filling device as mentioned above.

In the particular case of a brake fluid reservoir, the invention makes it possible to obtain a satisfactory compromise during design, between optimized expansion volume and reduced bulk. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, comprising a filling device as mentioned above.

The invention also relates to a method of implementing a filling device as mentioned above, in other words a filling method. The method comprises the following successive steps: introducing a filling tool through the inlet opening, then into the channel of the guide member according to the cylindrical sealing section; and operating the filling tool to perform a filling sequence of the liquid circuit. More specifically, the filling sequence comprises a vacuum cycle to purge the air present in the circuit; a pressurized cycle to fill the circuit; and a suction cycle to adjust the final level of liquid in the circuit. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a partial section of a non-compliant filling device; to the invention; Figure 2 is a section similar to Figure 1, showing a filling device according to the invention; and - Figure 3 is a section similar to Figures 1 and 2, showing an alternative filling device according to the invention. In Figures 1 to 3, the various elements are partially shown for simplification purposes.

FIG. 1 shows an automobile system 101 comprising a liquid circuit 102 which includes a liquid reservoir 103. The liquid circuit 102 may be filled by means of a filling assembly 105 comprising, on the one hand, , a filling device 110 integrated in the tank 103 and, on the other hand, a filling tool 120 intended to be introduced into the filling device 110. The device 110 comprises a neck 130 and an inner pipe 140 for supplying liquid in the circuit 102. The tool 120 is positioned at the neck 130 and enters the pipe 140. The tank 103 must be designed by adapting its expansion volume to the length of the filling tool 120. This constraint can have implications on the shape of the reservoir 103, for example on the radius of curvature of its walls, and therefore on its mechanical strength. For certain applications such as degassing bottles, in order to maintain a sufficient strength, it may be necessary to increase the thickness of the walls of the tank 103 or provide additional reinforcing ribs. This increases the weight of the reservoir 103 and can disturb the fluid flows (air and liquid). In FIG. 2 there is shown an automobile system 1 comprising a liquid circuit 2 which includes a liquid reservoir 3. A filling assembly 5 according to the invention is implemented to fill the circuit 2 with liquid L. This set 5 comprises, on the one hand, a filling device 10 according to the invention, advantageously integrated with the reservoir 3 and, on the other hand, on the one hand, a filling tool 20 intended to be introduced into the filling device 10. The filling tool 20 comprises a hollow rod 21 provided with a head 22 and delimiting an internal channel 24 for liquid flow L. The head 22 is slightly wider than the rest of the rod 21 and has an outer diameter D20. The tool 20 comprises a body 26, partially shown for purposes of simplification, arranged around the rod 21. The head 22 has an outer annular groove 27 and an outer annular seal 28 housed in the groove 27. The device 10 comprises a 30, a conduit 40 for supplying liquid L in the circuit 2, and a guide member 50 which is disposed in the pipe 40 and which defines an inner channel 60 for receiving the tool 20. The device 10 is generally centered on an axis X10.

The neck 30 has an external thread 32, for screwing a closure cap not shown. The neck 30 defines a housing 34 for receiving the tool 20. The neck 30 has a neck 36 for connection with the pipe 40. The neck 36 has a curved shape and a decreasing diameter in the direction of the pipe 40. The neck 30 has an opening 38 of circular shape, defining the inlet of the device 10, the reservoir 3, and therefore the circuit 2. The opening 38 is the zone which is located the outermost of the device 10. The flow of liquid L in the device 10 is directed opposite this opening 38, in a downstream direction. The pipe 40 extends downstream of the neck 30, in particular downstream of the opening 38. The pipe 40 has a cylindrical inner wall 42 having an inside diameter D40. The wall 42 defines a channel 44 for liquid flow L. The member 50 comprises a body 51 and an extension 52, each having a tubular shape. The member 50 is elongated between an upstream end 53 and a downstream end 54. The extension 52 is formed protruding from the body 51 at the downstream end 54.

The body 51 constitutes the bulk of the material of the member 50, in comparison with the extension 52. The body 51 has an outside diameter which is greater than the outside diameter of the extension 52. The body 51 has an outer wall The wall 55 of the member 50 is fixed to the wall 42 of the pipe 40, preferably by welding. Alternatively, the member 50 can be fixed in the pipe 40 by any suitable means, for example by clipping or pinching. The member 50 further comprises a cylindrical inner wall 56 which extends along the body 51 and the extension 52. The wall 56 defines the channel 60 for receiving the tool 20 and the liquid flow L in circuit 2. In other words, the body 51 and the extension 52 together define the channel 60 in the member 50. The channel 60 has an inside diameter D60 less than the inside diameter D40 of the pipe 40 and slightly greater than the outer diameter D20 of the tool 20. The channel 60 extends between an upstream orifice 57 and a downstream orifice 58 formed in the member 50. More specifically, the orifice 57 is formed at the end 53 of the member 50 in the body 51 and the orifice 58 is formed at the end 54 of the member 50 in the extension 52. The orifice 57 has a generally conical shape, with a gradual reduction in diameter to reach the diameter D60. The method of implementation of the device 10 comprises the following successive steps: a first step of introducing the tool 20 through the opening 38, then into the channel 60 of the member 50, then a second step of actuating the tool 20 for performing a filling sequence of the liquid circuit 2.

In the first step, the head 22 of the tool 20 passes the opening 38, then is received in the orifice 57. The shape of the orifice 57 facilitates the introduction of the head 22 into the member 50, plus specifically in the channel 60. In other words, the orifice 57 is configured to guide the tool 20 into the channel 60. At this stage, the channel 60 receives the tool 20, defining by means of the seal 28 a section of cylindrical seal 62 between the tool 20 and the member 50. More specifically, the seal 28 seals between the head 22 of the tool 20 and the wall 56 of the channel 60, in order to prevent the liquid L from being wound up towards the opening 38, in the upstream direction. The tightness achieved in the channel 60 between the tool 20 and the member 50, at the cylindrical section 62, is more reliable than a seal that would be performed at a conical section. The section 62 is defined regardless of the position of the head 22 of the tool 20 in the channel 20.

In the second step, the filling sequence comprises an empty cycle to purge the air present in the circuit 2; a cycle under pressure to fill the circuit 2 with liquid L; and a suction cycle for adjusting the final level of liquid L in the circuit 2. In particular, this final level is adjusted to the maximum level of liquid L in the tank 3, so as to obtain a predetermined expansion volume V. In the channel 44 of the pipe 40, the maximum liquid level L is flush with the orifice 58 of the member 50. In practice, the member 50 forms a means for extending the filling tool 20 in the device 10. This extension is directed opposite the opening 38, along the downstream direction. Instead of a length L1 defined between the downstream end of the tool 20 and the opening 38, a length L2 greater than the length L1 is defined between the orifice 58 and the opening 38. The member 50 is dimensioned so that the orifice 58 is positioned at the maximum level of desired liquid L in the reservoir 3. At the end of the suction cycle, the liquid L is present in the circuit 2 in optimal quantity. The predetermined expansion volume V is defined above the maximum level of liquid L. In FIG. 3 is shown a variant of filling device 10, the constituent elements of which are comparable to those of FIG. 2 and bear the same references. digital. In this variant, the guide member 50 is integral with the wall 42 of the pipe 40, in particular by molding. Part of the wall 55 is separated by a space 59 of the wall 42 of the pipe 40. The devices 10 of Figures 2 and 3 have a similar operation.

Furthermore, the filling device 10 may be shaped differently from Figures 2 and 3 without departing from the scope of the invention. In a variant that is not shown, the device 10 may be designed to fill a liquid circuit 2 without a reservoir 3. According to another variant, not shown, the liquid supply line 40 in the circuit 2 may have a configuration that is different from FIGS. to 3, in particular depending on the configuration of the automobile system 1. For example, the pipe 40 may be more or less elongated and more or less wide. On the other hand, when the device 10 has no neck 30, the opening 38 can be formed directly at the inlet of the pipe 40. According to another variant not shown, the member 50 may have a shape and dimensions different. For example, the member 50 may be devoid of extension 52. In this case, the body 51 only defines the channel 60 and the downstream orifice 58 of the channel 60 is formed directly in the body 51. According to another example, the orifice 57 may have a different geometry. According to another variant not shown, the member 50 may comprise an internal seal positioned in the channel 60 and provided to grip the tool 20 when it is inserted into the channel 60. In this case, the tool 20 is preferably devoid of external seal provided to cooperate with the channel wall. The inner seal then defines the cylindrical sealing section 62 between the tool 20 and the member 50. According to another variant not shown, the walls 42 and 55 may have different shapes, for example non-cylindrical. In this case, the diameter D40 may be the minimum inside diameter of the pipe 40. Whatever the embodiment, the guide member 50 has a cylindrical wall 56 defining a channel 60 for receiving the filling tool 20 in a cylindrical sealing section 62.

In addition, the technical characteristics of the various embodiments and variants mentioned above may be, in whole or in part, combined with one another. Thus, the filling device 10 can be adapted in terms of cost and functionality.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device for filling (10) a liquid circuit (2) for a motor vehicle, the filling device (10) being adapted to receive a filling tool (20) and comprising: an inlet opening (38); a conduit (40) which extends into the liquid circuit (2) downstream of the inlet opening (38) and which has a wall (42) having a first inner diameter (D40); and a guide member (50) which is arranged in the pipe (40) and which forms an extension means of the filling tool (20), characterized in that the guide member (50) has a cylindrical wall ( 56) defining a channel (60) for receiving the filling tool (20) in a cylindrical sealing section (62), said channel (60) having a second inner diameter (D60) smaller than the first inner diameter (D40 ) of the pipe (40). 2. Filling device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the guide member (50) comprises an upstream orifice (57) which has a gradual reduction in diameter until reaching the second inner diameter (D60) this upstream orifice (57) being configured to guide the filling tool (20) into the channel (60). Filling device (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide member (50) is fixed to the wall (42) of the pipe (40), for example by welding, clipping or pinching. 4. Filling device (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide member (50) is integral with the wall (42) of the pipe (40). 5. Filling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide member (50) comprises a body (51) and a tubular extension (52) defining together the channel (60), tubular extension (52) being projecting at a downstream end (54) of the body (51). 6. Filling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide member (50) comprises an internal seal positioned in the channel (60) and provided for gripping the tool of filling (20). A filling assembly (5), comprising: a filling device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5; and a filling tool (20) intended to be introduced into the filling device (10) in order to fill the liquid circuit (2), the filling tool (20) comprising a head (22) inserted into the channel ( 60) for filling the liquid circuit (2) and, preferably, an outer seal (28) fitted against the cylindrical wall (56) of the channel (60). 8. Liquid reservoir (3) for a motor vehicle, comprising a filling device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6. 9. Motor vehicle, comprising a filling device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6. 10. A method of implementing a filling device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the method comprises the following successive steps: introducing a filling tool (20) through the inlet opening (38), then in the channel (60) of the guide member (50) according to the cylindrical sealing section (62); and operating the filling tool (20) to perform a filling sequence of the liquid circuit (2).