Patent Description:
Legislation on vehicle and truck emissions stipulates, amongst other things, a reduction in the release of nitrogen oxides NOx into the atmosphere. One known way to achieve this objective is to use the "SCR" (shortening from terms "Selective Catalytic Reduction") process which enables the reduction of nitrogen oxides by injection of a reducing agent, such as ammonia, into the exhaust line. Generally, a SCR system comprises a tank for the storage of an aqueous additive, such as a urea solution, a pump for conveying the aqueous additive in the feed line, and a device for metering the desired amount of aqueous additive and injecting it into the exhaust line. The aqueous additive is thus accurately metered and injected into the exhaust gas stream where it is hydrolysed before converting the nitrogen oxide (NOx) to nitrogen (N<NUM>) and water (H<NUM>O).

The distribution of urea solution, sometimes called adblue®, is known for trucks for many years. The tank volume being important in the range of trucks, it has been developed distribution system apart from fuel delivery with a filling rate of <NUM>. min-<NUM> (ISO222-<NUM>-<NUM> norm). and urea tanks with large inlet diameter.

Regarding passenger cars, initial market demand was to design filler heads compatible for manual filling with a screw-on bottle. The filling was done by gravity and was usually slow around <NUM>. min-<NUM> (ISO222-<NUM>-<NUM> norm). However, due to the urea solution consumption increasing because of stricter depollution levels, it becomes more common to regularly fill the urea solution tank. However, consumers have noticed that they could already be supplied with the dispensers for trucks and thus have imposed a unique delivery rate in contrast to what was contemplated.

As a result, carmakers now request to design SCR systems compatible with automatic filling technology initially designed for heavy duty application as well as with manual filling. Examples of filler heads are disclosed in documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

Moreover, at this moment, three kinds of automatic filling technologies are mainly used depending on the sensor included in the nozzle (ZVA nozzle sensor, Horn nozzle sensor or PIUSI nozzle sensor). Each sensor is not mounted at the tip of the nozzle (as ZVA nozzle) but may also be mounted in the upstream direction of the nozzle (as Horn and PIUSI nozzle sensors) up to <NUM> from the tip.

Consequently, a lot of conflicting specifications have to be met such as a small diameter of the existing screw-on bottles with a high rate of filling up to <NUM>. min-<NUM> whatever the kind of sensor used in the nozzle.

The invention aims to provide a filler head avoiding the spitting from the filler head before and during the auto-stop nozzle shut off as well as allowing a quicker sensing of the auto-stop sensor of the refilling nozzle.

Hence, the object of the invention is a filler head for a storage system comprising a body including a main part closed by a cover part so as to form a cavity in which a separating device is received, the filler head being configured to receive, in a cylindrical wall of the separating device extending around the filling direction, a distribution nozzle of a fluid with an auto-stop sensor to prevent overfilling of the filler head, the filler head being configured to be connected to a filling line and a venting line of a fluid tank and the separating device being arranged to improve the partitioning of the flow coming from the venting line and the flow going to the filling line, characterised in that a top end of the separating device facing the cover part of the body comprises at least one notch improving, when the nozzle is received in the cylindrical wall of the separating device, the pressure balance in the filler head so as to ensure that the fluid outgoing from the nozzle has limited possibility to spit back from the filler head during the auto-stop nozzle shut off.

According to the invention, with help of each notch, a better fluid circulation between internal and external volume of the cylindrical wall is obtained so as to avoid a lower pressure to be exerted in the region between the top end and the cover part that may incur locally a suction effect of the fluid near the tip of the nozzle sufficiently high to expel it from the filler head.

The invention may also include one or more of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination.

The top end of the separating device may be an annular wall, and the at least one notch can form a through passage in the thickness of the annular wall allowing a better fluid communication between internal and external volume of the cylindrical wall by increasing locally the gap between the top end and the cover part.

A buffer volume may be configured to be connected to the venting line and to reduce the speed of flow coming from the venting line. The buffer volume may be in one-piece laterally with the main part. A common wall of the main part and the buffer volume may comprise an aperture allowing the passage of the flow coming from the venting line into the cavity of the body. This configuration allows a further improvement regarding the aim of avoiding any spitting from the filler head, a better reduction of the speed of the flow coming from the venting line as well as a better bursting of the air bubbles along the wall of the buffer volume regardless the volume of the tank and/or the refilling rate.

The cylindrical wall may comprise at least one hole in the top end of the separating device that allows the flow of fluid coming from the venting line to pass through the cylindrical wall in order to be expelled outside the filler head. At least four flanges, protruding preferably transversally from the outside surface of the cylindrical wall, may be mounted surrounding the aperture of the buffer volume so as to form a channel towards the at least one hole permitting to improve the partitioning of a flow coming from a venting line and the flow going to the filling line. Thus, when emerging from the aperture, the flow coming from a venting line is substantially only able to communicate with the at least one hole <NUM> in an upstream level in view of the filling flow direction.

The cover part may comprise a protruding guiding element to guide the distribution nozzle to the separating device. The protruding guiding element may be closed in a sealed manner by a cap when nozzle is not received in the separating device.

The inner surface of the protruding guiding element may have at least one groove so as, when nozzle is received in the protruding guiding element, to allow the flow coming from the venting line to be expelled outside the filler head via the at least one groove.

A bottom end of the separating device facing the main part of the body comprises a securing element mounted onto the external surface of the cylindrical wall so as to cooperate with an internal wall of the main part protruding in the cavity to secure the separation device in the cavity as an extension of the inner wall.

The securing element and the internal wall may have complementary shapes so as to limit the possibility of the fluid to flow between the bottom end of the separating device and the internal wall of the main part. This configuration forms a labyrinth shape between the bottom of the filler head and the separating device.

The internal wall may be in at least partially annular shape and the securing element has a hook shape to grab the free end of the internal wall. The auto-stop nozzle shut off is improved notably because the sensor is able to sense quicker fluid in the filler head.

Another object of the invention is a storage system comprising a fluid tank connected to a filling line configured to guide the gravitational flow of fluid from a filler head to the tank and a venting line configured to compensate de pressure variations in the tank, characterised in that the filler head is according to any one of the above embodiments.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly upon reading the following detailed description, made with reference to the annexed drawings, provided as a non-limited description, in with:.

In the various figures, the same or similar elements bear the same references, optionally added with an index. The description of their structure and their function is therefore not systematically restated.

n all the following, the orientations are the usual orientations of the figures. In particular, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", placed above, below, left and right in relation to the view in the figures. Moreover, terms "upstream" and "downstream" generally relates to the location of an element relative to another element regarding the filling flow F direction.

The term "tank" is understood to mean an impermeable tank that can store fluid such as fuel, urea solution or water under versatile and various environmental and usage condition. Examples are a fuel tank for providing fuel (gasoline, diesel, hydrogen, etc.) to a motor vehicle, a urea solution tank for injection in an exhaust device or a water tank for providing water to a motor vehicle.

The expression "SCR system" is understood to mean a system for the catalytic reduction of the NOx from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, preferably of a vehicle <NUM>, using for example a urea solution as liquid additive. The present invention is advantageously applicable to diesel engines, and in particular to the diesel engines of passenger cars or heavy goods vehicles.

Moreover, a urea distribution nozzle <NUM> can be introduced in a filler head <NUM> according to the invention. Thus, valves for distribution nozzles <NUM> that are activated by a magnetic field have been developed. Therefore, when applying to urea tank, filler head <NUM> must have a magnetic element for activating the valve and allowing the delivery of urea solution.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the invention relates to a vehicle <NUM> equipped with a powertrain <NUM> connected to a depollution system <NUM>. More precisely, the depollution system <NUM> comprises an exhaust device <NUM> and an additive injection device <NUM> in the exhaust device <NUM> as, for example, a urea solution.

The injection device <NUM> comprises a storage system <NUM> including a tank <NUM> for storing an aqueous additive. The injection device <NUM> may also include, or not, a plurality of immersed sensors in the aqueous additive such as a level sensor, a temperature sensor and/or a quality sensor which can be of a capacitive effect type, of the ultrasound type or of the mechanical type.

The injection device <NUM> also comprises a pump <NUM> associated with an injection element <NUM> which are managed by a processing unit connected to the central computer of the vehicle <NUM>. The processing unit contains a memory in which coded instructions are stored. When coded instructions are executed by the processing unit, the steps, for example, of an SCR process are performed.

The tank <NUM> must be regularly refilled with an aqueous additive such as a urea solution or an ammonia solution. The storage system <NUM> thus comprises a filling line <NUM>, a venting line <NUM> (also called return line) and the filler head <NUM>. The filling line <NUM> is configured to guide the gravitational flow of fluid from the filler head <NUM> to the tank <NUM>. The venting line <NUM> is configured to compensate pressure variations in the tank <NUM> during refilling by expelling, from the filler head <NUM>, the fluid (mainly gas comprising air and eventually vapour of liquid contained in the tank <NUM>) contained in the tank <NUM> that is compressed by the arrival of fluid coming from the filling line <NUM> in the tank <NUM>.

Finally, the filler head <NUM> is configured to receive the nozzle <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of fluid distribution system and to be connected to the filling line <NUM> and the venting line <NUM>, in a sealed manner regarding all kinds of fluid intended to be present in the tank <NUM> (such as air and aqueous additive). The filler head <NUM> thus allows, during refilling period, the fluid outgoing from the nozzle <NUM> to flow into the tank <NUM> via the filling line <NUM> and, at the same time, allows the fluid present above the liquid in the tank <NUM>, to be expelled from the tank <NUM> via the venting line <NUM> through the filler head <NUM> to escape into the ambient air (external atmosphere) around the vehicle <NUM>.

The invention aims to provide a new filling system of a fluid tank <NUM> that is able to withstand a great range of filling rate regardless the volume of the tank <NUM>. More particularly, the invention relates to the optimization of a filler head <NUM> for avoiding the spitting of aqueous additive from the filler head <NUM> before and during the auto-stop nozzle <NUM> shut off as well as allowing a quicker sensing of the auto-stop sensor of the refilling nozzle <NUM>.

Hence, the object of the invention is a filler head <NUM> comprising a body <NUM> to be mounted inclined according to a predetermined angle regarding the gravity direction in the vehicle <NUM>. According to the invention, the predetermined angle may be comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>° when considering the gravity direction. This angle range allows a good flow with help of the gravity together with an easy introduction of a distribution nozzle <NUM> in the filler head <NUM>.

The filler head <NUM> comprises a main part <NUM> closed by a cover part <NUM> so as to form a cavity <NUM>. According to a first example, the cover part <NUM> may be secured to the main part <NUM> in a sealed manner by welding. Thus, a unique welding is used during the manufacturing process allowing the improvement of cycle time and associated costs.

According to a second example, the cover part <NUM> may be secured to the main part <NUM> in a sealed manner by snap-fitting a sealing ring <NUM> between the cover part <NUM> and the main part <NUM>. Thus, the manufacturing process can avoid the use of welding step allowing an easier process.

The cover part <NUM> may comprise a protruding guiding element <NUM> to guide the distribution nozzle <NUM> to a separating device <NUM> (as explained below) so as to allow a better mechanical protection of its cylindrical wall <NUM>. Preferably, the protruding guiding element <NUM> is closed in a sealed manner by screwing a cap (not shown) when nozzle <NUM> is not received in the separating device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cover part <NUM> may include a magnet <NUM> circumferentially of the protruding guiding element <NUM> so as to activate, by a magnetic field, the valve of the nozzle <NUM> when the tank <NUM> is of urea type permitting the delivery of urea solution.

Moreover, the inner surface of the protruding guiding element <NUM> has at least one groove <NUM> so as, when nozzle <NUM> is received in the protruding guiding element <NUM> to allow the flow V coming from the venting line <NUM> to be expelled outside the filler head <NUM> via the at least one groove <NUM>.

The main part <NUM> may include a plurality of ribs 17B (four ribs 17B visible on <FIG>) so as to receive the separating device <NUM> against the upper end of each rib 17B (by abutting with the below surface of the lower flange <NUM>). Thus, the separating device <NUM> can be easily removable from the cavity <NUM> so as to be replaceable. The separating device <NUM> can thus be replaced with a different geometry to fit another kind or dimensions of nozzle <NUM> and/or tank <NUM>.

The filler head <NUM> may further comprise a buffer volume <NUM> in one-piece with the main part <NUM> so as to reduce the speed of flow V coming from the venting line <NUM>. This configuration allows a further improvement regarding the aim of avoiding any spitting from the filler head. As function of the sensor type, the buffer volume <NUM> is comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> and more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>. More precisely, the more upstream is the sensor of the nozzle when considering the filling direction F, the bigger the buffer volume <NUM> is.

Specifically, the buffer volume <NUM> configured to be connected to the venting line <NUM> and to reduce the speed of flow V coming from the venting line <NUM>. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the buffer volume <NUM> being in one-piece laterally with the main part <NUM>. A common wall of the main part <NUM> and the buffer volume <NUM> comprises an aperture <NUM> allowing the passage of the flow V coming from the venting line <NUM> into the cavity <NUM> of the body <NUM>. As it can be seen in notably <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the aperture <NUM> is as high as possible in the buffer volume to facilitate a smooth flow V to the top of the filler head <NUM>.

The buffer volume <NUM> can thus be as far as possible from the tank <NUM>. Advantageously, a better reduction of the speed of the flow V coming from the venting line <NUM> is obtained as well as a better bursting of the air bubbles along the wall of the buffer volume <NUM> regardless the volume of the tank <NUM> and/or the refilling rate. Moreover, with help of the separating device <NUM>, the flows F, V are advantageously better partitioned in the cavity <NUM> between a flow F of fluid outgoing from the nozzle <NUM> and a flow V of fluid coming from the venting line <NUM> in the body <NUM> so as to avoid the activation of the auto-stop function of the distribution nozzle until the tank <NUM> is effectively full.

According to the invention, the separating device <NUM>, preferably hung in the cavity <NUM> of the body <NUM>, is configured to receive, in its cylindrical wall 21C extending around the filling direction F, the distribution nozzle <NUM> as shown in the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>. The separating device <NUM> is arranged to improve the partitioning of the flow V coming from the venting line <NUM> and the flow F going to the filling line <NUM>. Thus, as illustrated in <FIG>, sensor mounted at the tip of the nozzle <NUM> is in plane I (ZVA nozzle sensor) when nozzle <NUM> abuts against internal ribs 21D of the cylindrical wall 21C. All technical effects and results of the invention are advantageously also applicable even if sensor (Horn and PIUSI nozzle sensors) is located in the upstream direction of the nozzle <NUM> when considering the filling direction F (may be as far as <NUM> from the tip of the nozzle <NUM>).

According to a first aspect of the invention, the separating device <NUM> comprises a top end 21A facing the cover part <NUM> of the body <NUM> that comprises at least one notch <NUM> improving, when the nozzle <NUM> is received in the cylindrical wall 21C of the separating device <NUM>, the pressure balance in the filler head <NUM> so as to ensure that the fluid outgoing from the nozzle <NUM> has limited possibility to spit back from the filler head <NUM> during the auto-stop nozzle <NUM> shut off. Indeed, at the moment of the auto-stop nozzle <NUM> shut off, it has been observed that the internal pressure in the cylindrical wall 21C may raise abruptly. With help of the notches <NUM>, a better fluid circulation between internal and external volume of the cylindrical wall 21C is obtained so as to avoid a lower pressure to be exerted in the region between the top end 21A and the cover part <NUM> that may incur locally a suction effect of the additive solution near the tip of the nozzle <NUM> sufficiently high to expel it from the filler head <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the top end 21A of the separating device <NUM> is an annular wall <NUM> in which each notch <NUM> (three in <FIG>) forms a through passage regarding in the thickness T of the annular wall allowing a better fluid communication between internal and external volume of the cylindrical wall 21C by increasing locally the gap between the top end 21A and the cover part <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, it can be seen that the three notches <NUM> are present along the entire height H of the annular wall <NUM> till the upper flange 23A. Moreover, the notches <NUM> are each regularly distributed around the filling Flow V direction according to an angle of approximately hundred-and-twenty degrees and each empties the annular wall <NUM> at an angle α of approximately sixty degrees around the filling Flow V direction permitting an improved pressure balance between internal and external volume of the cylindrical wall 21C.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the cylindrical wall 21C comprises at least one hole <NUM> in the top end 21A of the separating device <NUM> downstream the upper flange 23A permitting to the flow V of fluid coming from the venting line <NUM> to pass through the cylindrical wall 21C as close as possible of the cover part <NUM>. As visible in the exemplary embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the flow V of fluid coming from the venting line <NUM> (via the buffer volume <NUM>) passes through the cylindrical wall 21C as far as possible from the tip of the nozzle <NUM> (plan I) in order to be expelled outside the filler head <NUM>.

Moreover, at least four flanges 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D (two horizontal flanges 23A, 23B and two vertical flanges 23C, 23D), protruding transversally from the outside surface of the cylindrical wall 21C and mounted surrounding the aperture <NUM> of the buffer volume <NUM> so as to form a channel <NUM> towards the at least one hole <NUM> permitting to improve the partitioning of the flow V coming from a venting line <NUM> and the flow F going to the filling line <NUM>. Thus, when emerging from the aperture <NUM>, the flow V coming from a venting line <NUM> is substantially only able to communicate with the at least one hole <NUM> in an upstream level in view of the filling flow V direction. As better show in <FIG>, the channel <NUM> leads to the holes <NUM> level which bottom is formed by the shielding flange <NUM>. It can also be seen that length L of the aperture <NUM> is substantially equal to these of the buffer volume <NUM> and the channel <NUM>. This configuration ensures a laminar flow F of the fluid outgoing from the nozzle <NUM> towards the filling line <NUM> in the body <NUM>, and a direct venting V of fluid through the cylindrical wall 21C coming from the venting line <NUM>. This configuration thus also permits to limit any fluid dispensing shut off/breakdown during refilling stage.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the shielding flange <NUM>, protruding transversally from the outside surface of the cylindrical wall 21C is mounted in the cavity <NUM> upstream of the sensor of the nozzle <NUM> (when received in the cylindrical wall 21C) when considering the filling flow F direction. This configuration of the shielding flange <NUM> ensures the fluid outgoing from the nozzle <NUM> present in the filler head <NUM> to have limited possibility to spit back from the filler head <NUM> without affecting the sensor work.

Thus, a dead volume, downstream the holes <NUM> level when considering the filling flow F direction, is formed in the cavity <NUM> between the shielding flange <NUM> and the lower flange <NUM> so as to receive eventual passing fluid before reaching the top end 21A of the separating device <NUM>. In other words, the dead volume forms an additional volume to eventually store the fluid that has been slowed by contact with the lower flange <NUM> to avoid the spitting from the filler head <NUM> before and during the auto-stop nozzle <NUM> shut off.

The shielding flange <NUM> of the separating device <NUM> covers substantially all the horizontal bottom of the holes <NUM> level and the lower flange <NUM> covers substantially all the horizontal section of the cavity <NUM> (downstream the lower horizontal flange 21B when considering the filling flow F direction). This configuration permits to form a shield substantially above all the upper surface of the fluid present in filler head <NUM>. In other words, it increases the difficulty of the fluid in reaching the dead volume above the lower flange <NUM> and even more above the shielding flange <NUM>. It can be also seen that below part of the lower flange <NUM> is substantially in the plan I of the nozzle <NUM> tip.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a bottom end 21B of the separating device <NUM> facing the main part <NUM> of the body <NUM> comprises a securing element 21E mounted onto the external surface of the cylindrical wall 21C. The securing element is configured to cooperate with an internal wall 17A of the main part <NUM> protruding in the cavity <NUM> to secure the separation device <NUM> in the cavity <NUM> as an extension of the inner wall 17A. This securing function is complementary with those obtained by abutting the below surface of the lower flange <NUM> against the upper end of each rib 17B.

In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the securing element 21E and the internal wall 17A has complementary shapes so as to limit the possibility of the fluid to flow between the bottom end 21B of the separating device <NUM> and the internal wall 17A of the main part <NUM>. Specifically, the internal wall 17A is in at least partially annular shape and the securing element 21E has a hook shape to grab the free end of the internal wall 17A. Therefore, the auto-stop nozzle <NUM> shut off is improved notably because the sensor is able to sense quicker fluid in the filler head <NUM>. This configuration forms a labyrinth shape between the bottom of the filler head <NUM> and the separating device <NUM>.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and variants presented but may be subject to various other embodiments and/or variants, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art.

Claim 1:
Filler head (<NUM>) for a storage system (<NUM>) comprising a body (<NUM>) including a main part (<NUM>) closed by a cover part (<NUM>) so as to form a cavity (<NUM>) in which a separating device (<NUM>) is received, the filler head (<NUM>) being configured to receive, in a cylindrical wall (21C) of the separating device (<NUM>) extending around the filling direction (F), a distribution nozzle (<NUM>) of a fluid with an auto-stop sensor to prevent overfilling of the filler head (<NUM>), the filler head (<NUM>) being configured to be connected to a filling line (<NUM>) and a venting line (<NUM>) of a fluid tank (<NUM>) and the separating device (<NUM>) being arranged to improve the partitioning of the flow (V) coming from the venting line (<NUM>) and the flow (F) going to the filling line (<NUM>), characterised in that a top end (21A) of the separating device (<NUM>) facing the cover part (<NUM>) of the body (<NUM>) comprises at least one notch (<NUM>) improving, when the nozzle (<NUM>) is received in the cylindrical wall (21C) of the separating device (<NUM>), the pressure balance in the filler head (<NUM>) so as to ensure that the fluid outgoing from the nozzle (<NUM>) has limited possibility to spit back from the filler head (<NUM>) during the auto-stop nozzle (<NUM>) shut off.