Abstract:
A crankcase ventilation for an internal combustion engine with a ventilation conduit which connects the crankcase of the internal combustion engine to an intake duct of the internal combustion engine, as well as a tank ventilation conduit and a connection system for a fluid conduit. The ventilation conduit comprises: a first pipe connector ( 10 ), and a second pipe connector ( 20 ) with a receiving chamber ( 24 ) into which the first pipe connector ( 10 ) is insertable, wherein a second groove ( 22 ) is formed in the receiving chamber ( 24 ), and the first pipe connector ( 10 ) has a first groove ( 12 ), wherein a compressible retaining ring ( 40 ) is inserted into the first groove ( 12 ), the compressible retaining ring being engageable with the second groove ( 22 ) when the first pipe connector ( 10 ) is inserted into the receiving chamber ( 24 ), or an expandable retaining ring is inserted into the second groove ( 22 ), the expandable retaining ring being engageable with the first groove ( 12 ) when the first pipe connector ( 10 ) is inserted into the receiving chamber ( 24 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a crankcase ventilation for an internal combustion engine as well as a tank ventilation conduit for a motor vehicle and a connection system for a fluid conduit containing fuel vapor or a combustion gas in a motor vehicle and comprising a non-detachable plug connection. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Since many years, regulations require that ventilation means of the crankcase of internal combustion engines in motor vehicles are not connected to the atmosphere, but to the intake duct of the internal combustion engine such that combustion gases entering into the crankcase and engine oil mixed with the combustion gases can be sucked in and burned by the engine. In this way, a pollution of the environment due to leaking uncleaned combustion gases and leaking engine oil can be prevented. 
     As described for example in DE 38 24 791 A1, a ventilation conduit for a crankcase ventilation mostly comprises a conduit which is formed as a hose or pipe and leads from a crankcase ventilation point to the intake duct, such as the throttle body, of the internal combustion engine. However, if the ventilation conduit is not properly connected or is for example accidentally not being connected during repair or maintenance of the internal combustion engine, gases escape from the crankcase into the environment such that a pollution of the environment occurs. Due to increasingly stringent environmental regulations, such a situation must be prevented in a secure manner. 
     It has been contemplated to integrate sensors into the ventilation conduit, in order to detect an error state of the ventilation conduit based for example on a throughput or pressure variation and to record an error code and/or to activate a warning lamp. However, a safety device of this type is complicated and costly. In addition, such a safety device only provides information about the error state, but cannot prevent the internal combustion engine from being operated despite of the error and thus cannot prevent the environment from being adversely affected. 
     Accordingly, the same applies for conduits containing fuel vapor, such as fuel ventilation conduits. In this case as well, fuel vapor must be prevented from leaking into the environment. 
     Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a crankcase ventilation, a tank ventilation conduit and a corresponding connection system for a fluid conduit, which in a secure manner can prevent any pollution of the environment due to a ventilation conduit not properly connected. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect, there is provided a crankcase ventilation for an internal combustion engine with a ventilation conduit which connects the crankcase of the internal combustion engine to an intake duct of the internal combustion engine, the ventilation conduit comprising: a first pipe connector, and a second pipe connector with a receiving chamber into which the first pipe connector or an insertion side end thereof is insertable, wherein a second groove is formed in the receiving chamber, and the first pipe connector has a first groove, wherein a compressible retaining ring is inserted into the first groove, the compressible retaining ring being engageable with the second groove when the first pipe connector is inserted into the receiving chamber, or an expandable retaining ring is inserted into the second groove, the expandable retaining ring being engageable with the first groove when the first pipe connector is inserted into the receiving chamber. 
     In the relaxed, i.e. non-compressed or non-expanded state, the retaining ring projects out of the first or second groove such that the retaining ring can snap into or engage the second or first groove by displacing the first pipe connector in the receiving chamber and correspondingly displacing the retaining ring to the second or first groove. In this way, the retaining ring ensures the connection state due to its engagement with both grooves. In other words, in both embodiments, the retaining ring in the relaxed state overlaps both with the diameter of the first groove and the second groove such that the retaining ring snapped into both grooves prevents any relative axial displacement of the two pipe connectors. 
     Preferably, the crankcase or an engine body in fluid communication therewith and/or the intake duct has a first pipe connector or a second pipe connector or is connected or connectable thereto. 
     Preferably, the retaining ring is made of heat-resistant plastic, such as PA12, PA6.12, PA6.10 or PPA, or steel wire. 
     According to a further aspect, there is provided a tank ventilation conduit for a motor vehicle, the tank ventilation conduit connecting a fuel tank to an activated-carbon container or an intake duct of the internal combustion engine or connecting an activated-carbon container to an intake duct of the internal combustion engine, the tank ventilation conduit comprising: a first pipe connector, and a second pipe connector with a receiving chamber into which the first pipe connector is insertable, wherein a second groove is formed in the receiving chamber, and the first pipe connector has a first groove, wherein a compressible retaining ring is inserted into the first groove, the compressible retaining ring being engageable with the second groove when the first pipe connector is inserted into the receiving chamber, or an expandable retaining ring is inserted into the second groove, the expandable retaining ring being engageable with the first groove when the first pipe connector is inserted into the receiving chamber. 
     According to a further aspect, there is provided a connection system for a fluid conduit containing fuel vapor or a combustion gas in a motor vehicle, in particular for a ventilation conduit for a crankcase ventilation of an internal combustion engine, a tank ventilation conduit, or a propulsion jet pump for generating negative pressure in a motor vehicle, the connection system comprising: a first pipe connector, and a second pipe connector with a receiving chamber into which the first pipe connector is insertable, wherein a second groove is formed in the receiving chamber, and the first pipe connector has a first groove, wherein a compressible retaining ring is inserted into the first groove, the compressible retaining ring being engageable with the second groove when the first pipe connector is inserted into the receiving chamber, or an expandable retaining ring is inserted into the second groove, the expandable retaining ring being engageable with the first groove when the first pipe connector is inserted into the receiving chamber. 
     More preferably, the retaining ring has a cone or a chamfer or insertion chamfer at a front end in the insertion direction and/or the receiving chamber has an insertion chamfer in order to facilitate the compression or the expansion of the retaining ring when the first pipe connector is inserted into the receiving chamber. 
     Preferably, at the first and second pipe connectors of the connection system or the crankcase ventilation, engagement means are arranged as rotation preventing means, in order to prevent a relative rotation of the first pipe connector with respect to the second pipe connector. 
     More preferably, at one of the first and second pipe connectors, biasing means are arranged in order to press the first pipe connector out of the receiving chamber when the first pipe connector is not properly inserted into the receiving chamber. 
     Preferably, at one of the first pipe connector and the receiving chamber, a radial sealing with an O ring or a shaped seal is arranged. 
     More preferably, the shaped seal has a sealing lip which is designed such that it is pressed against an inner circumference of the receiving chamber and/or against an outer circumference of the first pipe connector due to the acting fluid pressure. 
     Preferably, at least one of the first pipe connector and the second pipe connector is made of heat-resistant plastic, such as PA12, PA6.12, PA6.10 or PPA 
     More preferably, the insertion chamfer is arranged such that before a compression of the radial seal, the retaining ring is compressed or expanded when the first pipe connector is inserted into the receiving chamber. In this way, the insertion force is reduced, as the compression or expansion of the retaining ring occurs with a time delay with respect to the compression of the radial seal. Thus, the maximum insertion force can be reduced significantly. 
     Preferably, the first pipe connector further comprises a collar which is insertable into an enlarged-diameter portion of the second pipe connector and which substantially completely enters into the enlarged-diameter portion in the completely coupled state. In this way, the state of complete connection can be detected easily by an installer as the collar completely enters into the enlarged-diameter portion and does not protrude therefrom any longer or is substantially flush with this portion. 
     More preferably, the collar is color-coded at its circumference, for example using signal red. This enables a much easier visual detection of the connection state. 
     A state of incomplete connection is thus quickly identified and any operation of the motor vehicle in this state and the corresponding pollution of the environment can be prevented in a secure manner. 
     The invention will now be explained with reference to one embodiment and its variants with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  show one embodiment of a connection system of a ventilation conduit in the coupled state, wherein  FIG. 1   a  shows a sectional view and  FIG. 1   b  shows a perspective view. 
         FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  show the embodiment in the non-coupled state, wherein 
         FIG. 2   a  shows a sectional view and  FIG. 2   b  shows a perspective view. 
         FIGS. 3   a  band  3   b  show a variant of the embodiment in a coupled state, wherein  FIG. 3   a  shows a sectional view and  FIG. 3   b  shows a perspective view. 
         FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show the variant of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  in the non-coupled state, wherein  FIG. 4   a  shows a sectional view and  FIG. 4   b  shows a perspective view. 
         FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  show a further variant of the embodiment in the coupled state, wherein  FIG. 5   a  shows a sectional view and  FIG. 5   b  shows a perspective view. 
         FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show the variant of  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  in the non-coupled state, wherein  FIG. 6   a  shows a sectional view and  FIG. 6   b  shows a perspective view. 
         FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show a further variant of the embodiment in the coupled state, wherein  FIGS. 7   a  shows a sectional view and  FIG. 7   b  shows a perspective view. 
         FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  show the variant of  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  in the non-coupled state, wherein  FIG. 8   a  shows a sectional view and  FIG. 8   b  shows a perspective view. 
         FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  show a further variant of the embodiment in the coupled state, wherein  FIG. 9   a  shows a sectional view and  FIG. 9   b  shows a perspective view. 
         FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  show the variant of  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  in the non-coupled state, wherein  FIG. 10   a  shows a sectional view and  FIG. 10   b  shows a perspective view. 
         FIGS. 11   a - 11   c  show yet another variant of the embodiment in the coupled state, wherein  FIG. 11   a  shows a sectional view and  FIG. 11   b  shows a perspective view. Furthermore  FIG. 11   c  shows a detailed view of  FIG. 11   a.    
         FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  shows the variant of  FIGS. 11   a - 11   c  in the non-coupled state, wherein  FIG. 12   a  shows a sectional view and  FIG. 12   b  shows a perspective view. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the figures, one embodiment of the invention and its variants will be described in more detail. Here, in  FIGS. 3   a  to  12   b  which show variants of the embodiment, for the sake of clarity, only those elements are provided with reference numbers, which are different from the elements of the embodiment. All other elements correspond to those of the embodiment. 
     The additional elements in the variants of  FIGS. 3   a  to  12   b  may be combined freely to form further variants. 
     Although in the embodiment and its variants, a first pipe connector  10  is connected to a second pipe connector  20 , the term “pipe connector” should be understood as a fitting which may be a further fluid conduit or a fitting connector of a further component, such as an intake conduit of an internal combustion engine. Furthermore, the pipe connector  10 ,  20  does not necessarily have a straight configuration, as shown in the figures, but may have any other shape or configuration, such as a 90° bend, a 30° bend, or any other bend. Furthermore, the pipe connectors  10 ,  20  may be configured as a manifold which includes a plurality of fluid ports. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b ,  2   a  and  2   c , the embodiment includes the first pipe connector  10  and the second pipe connector  20  which are to be connected to each other. To this end, the first pipe connector  10  has a first groove  12 , into which a retaining ring  40  is inserted. The retaining ring  40  is, as shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , formed as an open ring and projects out of the first groove  12 . 
     The retaining ring  40  is compressable to an extent until its two open ends abut against each other. In this compressed state, the retaining ring  40  substantially does no longer project out of the first groove  12 . At least in the compressed state of the retaining ring  40 , its outer diameter is reduced such that the retaining ring is insertable into a receiving chamber  24  of the second pipe connector  20 . In other words, an outer diameter of the compressed retaining ring  40  is equal to or less than an inner diameter of a reduced-diameter portion  21  of the second pipe connector  20 . By compressing the retaining ring  40 , the first pipe connector  10  can be inserted into the second pipe connector  20  to such an extent that the retaining ring  40 , as shown in  FIG. 1   a , enters or snaps into a second groove  22  of the second pipe connector  20  by releasing the compressed state or by resilient relaxing into the initial position. 
     In the state of connection between the first pipe connector  10  and the second pipe connector  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1   a , the conduit is completely connected and the connection state can only be removed by destroying the pipe connectors  10 ,  20  or the conduit. In particular, there is no possibility of compressing the retaining ring  40  which is relaxed into the second groove  22 , manually or by means of a tool such that the coupled state of the pipe connectors  10 ,  20  can be removed. This is desirable, because in this way a disassembly of a fluid conduit that contains for example exhaust gas or fuel vapor, can be prevented in a secure manner in order to prevent a pollution of the environment with fuel vapors, oil mist or exhaust gases. 
     In order to facilitate an insertion of the first pipe connector  10  into the second pipe connector  20 , the retaining ring  40  is preferably provided with a cone  42  and/or the receiving chamber  24  of the second pipe connector  20  is provided with an insertion chamfer  24   a , as shown in  FIG. 2   a.    
     However, the invention is not limited to a retaining ring  40  with a compressible form. 
     Although not shown in the figures, it is evident for those skilled in the art that an expandable retaining ring prior to assembly, i.e. in the state shown in  FIG. 2 , can be inserted into the second groove  22 , whereupon by inserting the first pipe connector  10  into the receiving chamber  24  of the second pipe connector  20 , the retaining ring is expanded such that the retaining ring snaps into the first groove  12  of the first pipe connector  10  and thus establishes an undetachable connection. 
     In particular in both variants, the first pipe connector  10  is held in a secure manner in the second pipe connector  20  in that the retaining ring  40 , which is compressable according to the embodiment, or an alternative expandable retaining ring (not shown) in its relaxed state engages both the first groove  12  and the second groove  22  in order to lock the first pipe connector  10  in the second pipe connector  20  in a secure manner. 
     Preferably, at one of the first and second pipe connectors  10 ,  20 , a seal such as an O ring  50 , is arranged in a further groove. As shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  2   a , the O ring of this embodiment is received in a groove of the first pipe connector in order to form a radial seal with an inner circumference of the reduced-diameter portion  21  of the second pipe connector  20 . However, a different type of seal can likewise be used. Alternatively, a groove for receiving an O ring can likewise be arranged in the second pipe connector  20  instead of the first pipe connector  10 . 
     More preferably, the insertion chamfer  24   a  is arranged such that the retaining ring  40  is compressed or expanded during the insertion of the first pipe connector  10  into the receiving chamber  24  before the seal is compressed. In this way, the insertion force is reduced, as a compression or expansion of the retaining ring  40  occurs with a time delay with respect to the compression of the radial seal. Thus, the maximum insertion force can be reduced significantly. 
     This time-delayed deformation or compression/expansion of the retaining ring  40  and the seal is achieved by an appropriate axial spacing between the first groove  12  and the other groove in which the seal is arranged, in connection with an axial spacing between the insertion chamfer  24  at the inner circumference of the reduced-diameter portion  21 . In other words, by engaging the insertion chamfer  24   a , at first only the retaining ring  40  is compressed (expanded) during the insertion of the first pipe connector  10  into the receiving chamber  24  while the seal is axially spaced from the inner circumference of the reduced-diameter portion  21  and has thus not been compressed yet. 
     Only by further inserting the first pipe connector  10  in the axial direction after the retaining ring  40  is substantially completely compressed or expanded, the seal is radially compressed by engaging the inner circumference of the reduced-diameter portion  21  in order to fulfill its sealing function. 
     More preferably, the first pipe connector  10  has a collar  13  or an enlarged-diameter portion which is insertable into an enlarged-diameter portion  23  of the second pipe connector  20 . In the completely coupled state shown in  FIG. 1 , the collar  13  enters substantially completely into the enlarged-diameter portion  23  in the coupled state. In this way, a properly coupled state can be detected visually. 
     In order to further facilitate the detection by an installer, the collar  13  can be color-coded, for example, using signal red at its circumference, such that the proper state can be detected in a way that the signal red circumference portion of the collar  13  is no longer visible when the fluid coupling or fluid conduit is completely connected. 
     As is further shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first pipe connector  10  has at its right end—as shown in the Figures—a portion which has sealing projections  11  and which is connectable to a hose. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The pipe connector  10  can likewise be formed as a complete or substantially complete ventilation conduit, or can integrally be formed at a corresponding component such as an intake filter body of an internal combustion engine, a cylinder head or a cylinder head cover, a tank, a container of an activated-carbon ventilation etc. The same applies to the second pipe connector  20 . 
     Although the embodiment includes the enlarged-diameter portion  23 , it should be evident for those skilled in the art that the enlarged-diameter portion  23  can likewise be omitted as this portion is no essential element of the fluid conduit or the connection system. In this case, the second pipe connector  20  has only the reduced-diameter portion  21 , or in other words a substantially uniform outer diameter. 
     In such an embodiment, the first pipe connector  10  still has the collar  13  in order to provide an abutment in the form of a first abutment surface  18  at the collar  13  and a second abutment surface  28  at the insertion side end—right side in the figures—of the reduced-diameter portion  22  while inserting the first pipe connector  10  into the second pipe connector  20 . However, the collar  13  can likewise be omitted. In this case, a proper connection can be detected by a click sound of the retaining ring  40  while entering into the second grove  22  or simply by pulling the first pipe connector  10  one more time away from the second pipe connector  20  in order to ensure that a mutual detachment of the pipe connectors  10 ,  20  is no longer possible due to the fact that the retaining ring  40  snaps into place. 
     It is also possible to omit a seal such as the O ring  50 , when a front end—seen in the insertion direction—of the first pipe connector  10  has for example a press fit with respect to the inner diameter of the reduced-diameter portion  21 . In this way, a sufficient sealing can be realized under certain circumstances without any separate sealing means. 
     In the variant of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the same elements are included as in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, the enlarged-diameter portion  23  additionally has at least one section  26   a , into which a projection  14  at the collar  13  is insertable. In other words, in the variant of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the enlarged-diameter portion  23  is formed as an interrupted pipe portion  26  with at least one section  26   a . Corresponding to the section  26   a , the collar  13  of the first pipe connector  10  has a radial projection  14  which is substantially completely insertable into the section  26   a  in the coupled state. In this way, a rotation preventing means is provided such that a mutual rotation of the pipe connectors  10 ,  20  is no longer possible in the coupled state. In this way, reliability and safety of the emission-prone fluid conduit can further be improved as in the upstream or downstream conduit, cracks, kinks, and the like due to mutual rotations of the pipe connectors  10 ,  20  can be prevented or avoided. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show one further variant of the embodiment, which can freely be combined with both the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  and the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Here, the collar  13  at least has one resilient tab  16  which is preferably integrally formed at the pipe connector  10  and which is pushed against the second abutment surface  28  while inserting the first pipe connector  10 . To this end, the resilient tab  16  has to be compressed in order to completely insert the first pipe connector  10  into the second pipe connector  20 , until the retaining ring  40  snaps into place. If an installer does not insert the first pipe connector  10  into the receiving chamber  24  of second pipe connector  20  far enough, the resilient tab  16  ensures that the first pipe connector  10  is pressed out of the receiving chamber  24  again such that an incomplete connection state can be detected very easily. In this way, a pollution of the environment due to an incompletely mounted fluid conduit is prevented. 
     Preferably, a plurality of resilient tabs  16  is arranged substantially at equal angular intervals at the collar  13 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show one further variant of the embodiment in which the resilient tabs  16  are replaced with a separate spring element  30 . The function is the same as that of the variant of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . It should be noted that instead of the resilient tabs  16  or in addition to the resilient tabs  16 , the spring element  30  can be arranged. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show one further variant of the embodiment in which the retaining ring  40  is replaced with a retaining ring  40   a  bent from a semi-finished product. In this case, the retaining ring  40   a  can easily be made of a semi-finished product without the necessity of manufacturing a separate component by injection molding or the like. For example, the retaining ring  40   a  can be bent and cut from a circular wire. However, the invention is not limited to the use of a circular wire. It can also be used a wire having a different cross-section such as a square cross-section. Furthermore, a square spring steel can be used for example. 
     Finally,  FIGS. 11 and 12  show a variant of the seal in the form of a shaped seal  60 . The shaped seal  60  preferably has a sealing lip  62  which is shaped such that a pressure P acting in the fluid conduit P, as shown in  FIG. 11   c , acts against the sealing lip  62  in a way that the sealing lip  62  is pushed against the inner circumference of the reduced-diameter portion  21  of the second pipe connector  20 . In this way, the sealing abilities or sealing features of the shaped seal  60  are all the more improved, the higher the acting fluid pressure P is. The shaped seal  60  may be used instead of the O ring  50  or in addition to the O ring  50 . Furthermore, it is evident that the shaped seal  60  can also be combined with the retaining ring  40   a  which is bent from a semi-finished product. 
     Furthermore, the invention is not limited to a crankcase ventilation, but can also be applied to other fluid conduits in motor vehicles, in which a pollution of the environment is caused by a detached conduit. 
     Possible applications would be for example fuel conduits, fuel vapor conduits or coolant conduits of air conditioning systems of motor vehicles. In other words, the invention can for example be applied to a fuel tank ventilation, a fuel evaporation system with an activated-carbon container or the like. 
     Moreover, the invention is not limited to applications in the field of motor vehicles, but can also be applied in other technical fields. 
     The first pipe connector  10  and the second pipe connector  20  are preferably made of heat-resistant and acid-resistant plastic, such as PA12, PA6.12, PA6.10 or PPA. The retaining ring  40  is preferably also made of PA12, PA6.12, PA6.10 or PPA. Alternatively, the retaining ring  40  is made of steel wire. The shaped seal  60  is made of an elastomer, such as rubber, silicone, EPDM or the like. 
     However, other materials can also be used, such as metal materials or a combination of metal or thermoplastic materials. 
     The additional elements in the variants of  FIGS. 3 to 12  can be combined freely to form other variants. For example, the variant with the interrupted pipe portion  26  and the projection  14  according to  FIGS. 3 and 4  can be combined with all the variants according to  FIGS. 5 to 12 . Furthermore, the variant with the resilient tab  16  according to  FIGS. 5 and 6  can be combined with the variants according to  FIGS. 7 to 12 . 
     Furthermore, the variant with the spring element  30  according to  FIGS. 7 and 8  can be combined with the variants according to  FIGS. 9 to 12 . The variant with the modified retaining ring  40   a  according to  FIGS. 9 and 10  can be combined with the variant according to  FIGS. 11 and 12 .