EP2556224A1 - Fluid tank having a venting system - Google Patents

Fluid tank having a venting system

Info

Publication number
EP2556224A1
EP2556224A1 EP10763826A EP10763826A EP2556224A1 EP 2556224 A1 EP2556224 A1 EP 2556224A1 EP 10763826 A EP10763826 A EP 10763826A EP 10763826 A EP10763826 A EP 10763826A EP 2556224 A1 EP2556224 A1 EP 2556224A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tank
heating element
reducing agent
zone
fluid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP10763826A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Rodolphe Emaille
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Akwel SA
Original Assignee
MGI Coutier SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MGI Coutier SA filed Critical MGI Coutier SA
Publication of EP2556224A1 publication Critical patent/EP2556224A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/08—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
    • F01N3/10—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust
    • F01N3/18—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by methods of operation; Control
    • F01N3/20—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by methods of operation; Control specially adapted for catalytic conversion ; Methods of operation or control of catalytic converters
    • F01N3/2066—Selective catalytic reduction [SCR]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K13/00—Arrangement in connection with combustion air intake or gas exhaust of propulsion units
    • B60K13/04—Arrangement in connection with combustion air intake or gas exhaust of propulsion units concerning exhaust
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K15/035—Fuel tanks characterised by venting means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K2015/03328—Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling
    • B60K2015/03427—Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling for heating fuel, e.g. to avoiding freezing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2610/00—Adding substances to exhaust gases
    • F01N2610/10—Adding substances to exhaust gases the substance being heated, e.g. by heating tank or supply line of the added substance
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2610/00—Adding substances to exhaust gases
    • F01N2610/14—Arrangements for the supply of substances, e.g. conduits
    • F01N2610/1406—Storage means for substances, e.g. tanks or reservoirs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2610/00—Adding substances to exhaust gases
    • F01N2610/14—Arrangements for the supply of substances, e.g. conduits
    • F01N2610/1466—Means for venting air out of conduits or tanks
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A50/00—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE in human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather
    • Y02A50/20—Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/12—Improving ICE efficiencies

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fluid reservoir, and more particularly to a reservoir adapted for a fluid capable of freezing and equipped for this purpose with an integrated heating element. Even more particularly, the invention is concerned with a venting system equipping such a tank with integrated heating element.
  • This invention is applicable, inter alia, to a reducing agent reservoir, in particular urea-based reducing agent, which can be used on a motor vehicle with a heat engine for the purposes of depollution.
  • motor vehicles must have additional depollution devices which are more and more complex, the depollution chemistry requiring either catalysts or oxidizing or reducing agents which are added, in particular in the exhaust line, to clean up.
  • the dosage of urea must be adjusted to the needs created by the emissions of nitrogen oxides, generated by the engine.
  • the urea is stored in a tank, put under pressure by a pump and distributed by an electromagnetic injector, the pump and the injector dosing the amount of urea taken from the tank and sent into the exhaust line, in connection with the operation of the engine thus with em issions of nitrogen oxides passing through the exhaust line.
  • heating means to solve the problems of freezing urea or other reducing agent, problems that can appear as soon as the temperature is below -1 1 ° C.
  • the presence of heating means itself poses the problem of venting or "breathing" the reducing agent tank, to allow the drawing of a certain volume of thawed reducing agent while the tank still contains a large amount of solidified reducing agent.
  • Patent document WO2008 / 080694 A1 discloses a solution which consists in placing in the reducing agent reservoir a heating suction pipe through which the drawing of fluid takes place. Heating the pipe melts at its periphery a thin layer of reducing agent, which communicates the volume of thawed reducing agent, located towards the bottom of the tank where the main heating element is located, with the volume of air located inside the tank, between the surface of the still frozen fluid and the upper wall of this tank.
  • the present invention aims to provide a solution to the problems mentioned above and, in particular, its purpose is to provide an air vent solution, for a fluid reservoir of the kind considered here, which may be suitable for all tank shapes.
  • the subject of the invention is a fluid reservoir, for example a reducing agent reservoir, in particular a urea reducing agent, which can be used on a motor vehicle with a heat engine for the purpose of depollution, the tank being equipped with an integrated heating element and a venting system for the admission of air into the zone of the heating element, replacing the fluid thawed by this heating element and pulsed outside the tank, this tank being characterized in that the venting system comprises a duct connecting the zone of the heating element either to the outside of the tank, or inside it, in a portion filled with air, and a hydrophobic element, that is to say, impermeable to liquid but permeable to air, placed at the starting point of said duct, so close to the heating element.
  • the venting system comprises a duct connecting the zone of the heating element either to the outside of the tank, or inside it, in a portion filled with air, and a hydrophobic element, that is to say, impermeable to liquid but permeable to air, placed at the
  • the hydrophobic element is, in particular, constituted by a so-called "breathable" membrane.
  • This hydrophobic element is placed at the starting point of a duct, which may be a flexible pipe or a rigid tube, connecting the zone of the heating element to a point located outside the tank, in the upper part or bottom of it at a point inside the tank, but in the upper part of it above the level of the fluid.
  • the hydrophobic element in particular in the form of a membrane, is directly fixed, for example by gluing or by overmoulding or by fitting or by welding, in particular ultrasonic welding, on one end of the pipe such as pipe flexible or rigid tube.
  • the hydrophobic element in particular in the form of a membrane, is fixed, for example by gluing or by overmoulding or by fitting or by welding, in particular ultrasonic welding, on an intermediate piece fitted to one end of the duct such as that flexible pipe or rigid tube, the intermediate piece having a section greater than that of the conduit.
  • This variant is appropriate when the "breathing" function requires a relatively large membrane.
  • the hydrophobic element is immersed near the heating element, thus preventing an outlet of the fluid thawed by the conduit, in particular to the upper part of the reservoir, and thus forcing the fluid to be sucked by the pump of the installation.
  • the suction of a quantity of fluid thawed by the heating element is made possible because air can be conveyed in the zone of this heating element, from the outside or from the inner upper part of the tank, via the conduit and through the hydrophobic element.
  • this duct being distinct from the fluid suction pipe, it thus has a solution that is adaptable to all the reservoir geometries and, in particularly those for which the suction pipe is not in contact with the volume of indoor air.
  • Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a reducing agent tank with venting system according to the present invention, in a first embodiment
  • FIG. 2 shows, in more detail, the part of the tank of Figure 1 comprising the venting system
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tube of this venting system, with its hydrophobic membrane,
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the tube and membrane of the venting system, alternatively,
  • Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of a reducing agent tank with venting system according to the present invention, in another embodiment,
  • FIG. 6 shows, in vertical section, yet another embodiment of this tank with venting system.
  • a reducing agent tank in particular based on urea, which can be used on a motor vehicle with a heat engine for the purposes of depollution.
  • reference numeral 1 denotes, as a whole, a reducing agent reservoir, which comprises a bottom wall 2, an upper wall 3 and a side wall 4.
  • the reservoir 1 has a particular shape. with a lower wall 2 stepped in which there is a lower zone 2a and a higher zone 2b, and with an upper wall 3 also stepped, in which there is also a lower zone 3a and a higher zone 3b.
  • the lower zone 3a of the upper wall 3 overcomes the lower zone 2a of the lower wall 2, whereas the higher zone 3b of the upper wall 3 overcomes the uppermost zone 2b of the lower wall 2.
  • the reservoir 1 contains, in use, a certain volume of reducing agent 5, the level of which is indicated in 6.
  • the tank 1 In its lower part, more particularly on the lowest zone 2a of its lower wall 2, the tank 1 is equipped with a heating element 9 of electrical type.
  • the suction pipe 10 is directed to a pump (not shown) by means of which the reducing agent 5 is drawn into the tank 1 and sent to an injector, which distributes this reducing agent in the exhaust line of the vehicle concerned. .
  • the tank 1 is still equipped with a venting system, generally designated by the reference 1 1.
  • the venting system 1 1 comprises a duct constituted by a rigid tube 12 whose starting point is located in the lower part of the tank 1, in the vicinity of the heating element 9.
  • the rigid tube 12 rises vertically inside the tank 1, and it reaches or passes through the upper wall 3 in its lowest part 3a, to open out of the tank 1.
  • a hydrophobic element that can be produced, in particular in the form of a "breathable" membrane 13.
  • the hydrophobic element in particular in the form of a membrane 13, can be directly attached, for example by gluing or shrinking or by fitting or by welding, in particular ultra -sons, on the lower end of the tube 12.
  • This embodiment particularly simple is applicable in the case where we can be content with a "breathable" membrane 1 3 of suface equal to the current section of the tube 12 .
  • the hydrophobic element in particular in the form of a membrane 13 may also be fixed, for example by gluing or by overmoulding or by fitting or by welding, in particular ultrasonic welding, on an intermediate piece 14 of cylindrical shape fitted on the lower end of the tube 12, the piece intermediate 14 having a section greater than that of the tube 12.
  • Such a configuration is applicable in the case where the function of "breathing" requires a membrane 13 of relatively large size.
  • the heating element 9 is activated so that the reducing agent 5 forms, inside the tank 1, a large frozen mass 5a, while a certain amount of The tapered reducing agent 5b is present all around the heating element 9.
  • the lower end of the suction pipe 10, as well as the lower end of the tube 1 2 with the membrane 13, are immersed in this amount of reducing agent. 5b thawed, as shown more particularly in Figure 2.
  • the thawed reducing agent 5b sucked by the pipe 1 0 can be replaced by air coming from the outside, admitted through the tube 12 and passing through the membrane 1 3, while this opposes the passage of the thawed reducing agent 5b to the tube 12.
  • the suction of the thawed reducing agent 5b is made possible, and as understood this operation can be obtained with a tank 1 of any shape.
  • the venting system 1 1 comprises a duct constituted by a hose 1 5, the starting point of which is here again in the lower part of the tank 1.
  • a "breathable" membrane 13 is provided at the starting point of said pipe 15.
  • This pipe 15 forms a double elbow, so that its end point is just below the highest zone 3b of the upper wall 3 of the tank 1.
  • the upper end of the pipe 15 is located in the air pocket 166 trapped inside the tank 1, between the level 6 of the reducing agent 5 and the upper wall 3 of this tank 1.
  • the heating element 9 is activated so as to be surrounded by a certain amount of thawed reducing agent 5b, in which the lower end of the suction pipe 10 is immersed. the lower end of the pipe 15 with the membrane 13.
  • the volume of suction reductant is replaced by air which is taken from the air pocket 16 located in the upper part of the tank 1 and that it is fed through the pipe 15 and the "breathable" membrane 13, the latter opposing the passage of the thawed reducing agent 5b to the pipe 15.
  • FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment, in which the venting system 1 1 comprises a rigid tube 17 of short length, connected to the bottom wall 2 of the tank 1 and thus opening out of this way. tank.
  • a hydrophobic element, in particular in the form of membrane 13, is here fixed on the upper end of the tube 17, close to the heating element 9.
  • the tube 17 can be obtained directly, in particular by molding, with the lower part of the tank to which it is connected.
  • hydrophobic element in any shape, for example as a more or less thick pellet instead of a membrane
  • tanks of all shapes which may contain a reducing agent of any kind
  • tanks that may contain other fluids capable of freezing, or at least whose viscosity varies greatly depending on the temperature, and whose pumping or aspiration can be done only if the fluid is thawed or its reduced viscosity at least locally under the effect of heating, for example a water tank or a washer fluid reservoir of a motor vehicle.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Exhaust Gas After Treatment (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to a tank (1) for a urea reducing agent, having a built-in heating element (9), which can be used in a motor vehicle having a heat engine for the purpose of removing pollutants. The tank (1) is provided with a venting system (11) for taking air into the region of the heating element (9) to replace the reducing agent (5) thawed by the heating element and drawn out of the tank. Said system includes a duct (12) which connects the region of the heating element (9) either to the outside of the tank or to the inside thereof in an air-filled portion, and a hydrophobic element (13) arranged at the starting point of the duct (12), which is therefore close to the heating element (9). Such a system is suitable for tanks of various shapes, capable of containing various freezable fluids.

Description

Réservoir de fluide avec système de mise à l'air  Fluid tank with venting system
La présente invention concerne un réservoir de fluide, et plus particulièrement un réservoir adapté pour un fluide susceptible de geler et équipé à cet effet d'un élément chauffant intégré. Encore plus particulièrement, l'invention s'intéresse à un système de mise à l'air équipant un tel réservoir avec élément chauffant intégré. Cette invention est applicable, entre autres, à un réservoir d'agent réducteur, en particulier d'agent réducteur à base d'urée, utilisable sur un véhicule automobile à moteur thermique à des fins de dépollution. The present invention relates to a fluid reservoir, and more particularly to a reservoir adapted for a fluid capable of freezing and equipped for this purpose with an integrated heating element. Even more particularly, the invention is concerned with a venting system equipping such a tank with integrated heating element. This invention is applicable, inter alia, to a reducing agent reservoir, in particular urea-based reducing agent, which can be used on a motor vehicle with a heat engine for the purposes of depollution.
Pour des raisons de respect des normes de pollution, les véhicules automobiles doivent comporter des dispositifs annexes de dépollution qui sont de plus en plus complexes, la chimie de la dépollution nécessitant soit des catalyseurs, soit des agents oxydants ou réducteurs qui sont ajoutés, en particulier dans la ligne d'échappement, pour dépolluer.  For reasons of compliance with pollution standards, motor vehicles must have additional depollution devices which are more and more complex, the depollution chemistry requiring either catalysts or oxidizing or reducing agents which are added, in particular in the exhaust line, to clean up.
En matière de dépollution des véhicules automobiles à moteur diesel, les normes obligent les constructeurs à équiper les systèmes d'échappement d'un pot catalytique, prévu pour réduire les oxydes d'azote par le biais de l'ammoniaque. Cependant, l'ammoniaque étant un produit toxique, la dépollution est faite par utilisation de l'urée, dissoute dans l'eau dans la proportion de 33 % par exemple, qui est transformée en ammoniaque par thermo-hydrolyse dans le système d'échappement, seulement au moment de son utilisation. Ce processus est communément nommé « SCR » (Sélective Catalytic Réduction).  In the field of depollution of motor vehicles with diesel engine, the norms oblige the manufacturers to equip the exhaust systems of a catalytic converter, planned to reduce the oxides of nitrogen by means of ammonia. However, as ammonia is a toxic product, the depollution is made using urea, dissolved in water in the proportion of 33% for example, which is converted into ammonia by thermo-hydrolysis in the exhaust system only when it is used. This process is commonly referred to as "SCR" (Selective Catalytic Reduction).
Le dosage de l'urée doit être ajusté aux besoins créés par les émissions d'oxydes d'azote, générées par le moteur. A cet effet, l'urée est stockée dans un réservoir, mise sous pression par une pompe et distribuée par un injecteur électromagnétique, la pompe et l'injecteur dosant la quantité d'urée prélevée du réservoir et envoyée dans la ligne d'échappement, en liaison avec le fonctionnement du moteur donc avec les ém issions d'oxydes d'azote transitant par la ligne d'échappement.  The dosage of urea must be adjusted to the needs created by the emissions of nitrogen oxides, generated by the engine. For this purpose, the urea is stored in a tank, put under pressure by a pump and distributed by an electromagnetic injector, the pump and the injector dosing the amount of urea taken from the tank and sent into the exhaust line, in connection with the operation of the engine thus with em issions of nitrogen oxides passing through the exhaust line.
Dans ce type d'installation de dépollution, il est impératif de prévoir des moyens de réchauffage, pour résoudre les problèmes de gel de l'urée ou autre agent réducteur, problèmes qu i peuvent apparaître dès que la température se situe au dessous de - 1 1 ° C. La présence de moyens de réchauffage pose elle-même le problème de la mise à l'air ou « respiration » du réservoir d'agent réducteur, afin de permettre le puisage d'un certain volume d'agent réducteur dégelé tandis que le réservoir contient encore une grande quantité d'agent réducteur solidifié. In this type of depollution installation, it is imperative to provide heating means, to solve the problems of freezing urea or other reducing agent, problems that can appear as soon as the temperature is below -1 1 ° C. The presence of heating means itself poses the problem of venting or "breathing" the reducing agent tank, to allow the drawing of a certain volume of thawed reducing agent while the tank still contains a large amount of solidified reducing agent.
Des solutions ont déjà été proposées pour créer une mise à l'air d'un réservoir d'agent réducteur pourvu d'un élément chauffant prévu pour d ég el er l 'agent réducteur. En particulier, le document de brevet WO2008/080694 A1 divulgue une solution qui consiste à placer, dans le réservoir d'agent réducteur, un tuyau d'aspiration chauffant par lequel s'effectue le puisage de fluide. Le chauffage du tuyau fait fondre, à sa périphérie, une mince couche d'agent réducteur, ce qui met en communication le volume d'agent réducteur dégelé, situé vers le fond du réservoir où se trouve l'élément chauffant principal, avec le volume d'air situé à l'intérieur du réservoir, entre la surface du fluide encore gelé et la paroi supérieure de ce réservoir.  Solutions have already been proposed for creating an air vent of a reducing agent tank provided with a heating element provided to remove the reducing agent. In particular, patent document WO2008 / 080694 A1 discloses a solution which consists in placing in the reducing agent reservoir a heating suction pipe through which the drawing of fluid takes place. Heating the pipe melts at its periphery a thin layer of reducing agent, which communicates the volume of thawed reducing agent, located towards the bottom of the tank where the main heating element is located, with the volume of air located inside the tank, between the surface of the still frozen fluid and the upper wall of this tank.
Cependant, une telle solution ne convient pas à toutes les formes de réservoir d'agent réducteur, notamment dans le cas où le tuyau d'aspiration n'est pas en contact avec le volume d'air situé à l'intérieur du réservoir au- dessus du niveau d'agent réducteur. Ce cas se présente ainsi lorsque le réservoir possède une paroi supérieure étagée avec une zone plus basse et une zone plus haute, le tuyau d'aspiration traversant la zone la plus basse tandis que le volume d'air interne se situe seulement sous la zone la plus haute de cette paroi. Avec une telle configuration, même si le tuyau d'aspiration était un tuyau chauffant, l'air emprisonné dans le réservoir ne pourrait pas être mis en communication avec la zone de puisage de l'agent réducteur.  However, such a solution is not suitable for all forms of reducing agent reservoir, particularly in the case where the suction pipe is not in contact with the volume of air inside the reservoir, above the level of reducing agent. This case is thus when the tank has a stepped upper wall with a lower zone and a higher zone, the suction pipe passing through the lowest zone while the internal air volume is only below the zone la highest of this wall. With such a configuration, even if the suction pipe was a heating pipe, air trapped in the tank could not be brought into communication with the drawdown area of the reducing agent.
Le même problème se pose pour des réservoirs contenant d'autres fluides susceptibles de geler, par exemple des réservoirs de liquide lave-glace sur des véhicules.  The same problem arises for tanks containing other fluids liable to freeze, for example windshield washer fluid tanks on vehicles.
La présente invention vise à apporter une solution aux problèmes évoqués ci-dessus et, en particulier, elle a pour but de fournir une solution de mise à l'air, pour un réservoir de fluide du genre ici considéré, qui puisse convenir à toutes les formes de réservoir.  The present invention aims to provide a solution to the problems mentioned above and, in particular, its purpose is to provide an air vent solution, for a fluid reservoir of the kind considered here, which may be suitable for all tank shapes.
A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un réservoir de fluide, par exemple un réservoir d'agent réducteur, en particulier d'agent réducteur à base d'urée, utilisable sur un véhicule automobile à moteur thermique à des fins de dépollution, le réservoir étant équipé d'un élément chauffant intégré et d'un système de mise à l'air pour l'admission d'air dans la zone de l'élément chauffant, en remplacement du fluide dégelé par cet élément chauffant et puisé hors du réservoir, ce réservoir étant caractérisé par le fait que le système de mise à l'air comprend un conduit reliant la zone de l'élément chauffant soit à l'extérieur du réservoir, soit à l'intérieur de celui-ci, dans une partie remplie d'air, et un élément hydrophobe, c'est-à-dire imperméable aux liquides mais perméable à l'air, placé au point de départ dudit conduit, donc à proximité de l'élément chauffant. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a fluid reservoir, for example a reducing agent reservoir, in particular a urea reducing agent, which can be used on a motor vehicle with a heat engine for the purpose of depollution, the tank being equipped with an integrated heating element and a venting system for the admission of air into the zone of the heating element, replacing the fluid thawed by this heating element and pulsed outside the tank, this tank being characterized in that the venting system comprises a duct connecting the zone of the heating element either to the outside of the tank, or inside it, in a portion filled with air, and a hydrophobic element, that is to say, impermeable to liquid but permeable to air, placed at the starting point of said duct, so close to the heating element.
L'élément hydrophobe est, en particulier, constitué par une membrane dite « respirante ». Cet élément hydrophobe est placé au point de départ d'un conduit, qui peut être un tuyau souple ou un tube rigide, reliant la zone de l'élément chauffant soit à un point situé à l'extérieur du réservoir, dans la partie supérieure ou inférieure de celui-ci soit à un point situé à l'intérieur du réservoir, mais dans la partie supérieure de celui-ci au-dessus du niveau du fluide.  The hydrophobic element is, in particular, constituted by a so-called "breathable" membrane. This hydrophobic element is placed at the starting point of a duct, which may be a flexible pipe or a rigid tube, connecting the zone of the heating element to a point located outside the tank, in the upper part or bottom of it at a point inside the tank, but in the upper part of it above the level of the fluid.
Dans un mode de réalisation simple, l'élément hydrophobe en particulier sous forme de membrane est directement fixé, par exemple par collage ou par surmoulage ou par emmanchement ou par soudure, notamment soudure par ultra-sons, sur une extrémité du conduit tel que tuyau souple ou tube rigide.  In a simple embodiment, the hydrophobic element, in particular in the form of a membrane, is directly fixed, for example by gluing or by overmoulding or by fitting or by welding, in particular ultrasonic welding, on one end of the pipe such as pipe flexible or rigid tube.
Selon une autre possibilité, l'élément hydrophobe en particulier sous forme de membrane est fixé, par exemple par collage ou par surmoulage ou par emmanchement ou par soudure, notamment soudure par ultra-sons, sur une pièce intermédiaire adaptée sur une extrémité du conduit tel que tuyau souple ou tube rigide, la pièce intermédiaire présentant une section supérieure à celle du conduit. Cette variante est appropriée lorsque la fonction de « respiration » nécessite une membrane de relativement grande dimension.  According to another possibility, the hydrophobic element, in particular in the form of a membrane, is fixed, for example by gluing or by overmoulding or by fitting or by welding, in particular ultrasonic welding, on an intermediate piece fitted to one end of the duct such as that flexible pipe or rigid tube, the intermediate piece having a section greater than that of the conduit. This variant is appropriate when the "breathing" function requires a relatively large membrane.
Dans tous les cas, l'élément hydrophobe se trouve immergé à proximité de l'élément chauffant, empêchant ainsi une sortie du fluide dégelé par le conduit, notamment vers la partie supérieure du réservoir, et obligeant donc ce fluide d'être aspiré par la pompe de l'installation. Cependant, même en cas de gel du fluide, l'aspiration d'une quantité de fluide dégelé par l'élément chauffant est rendue possible, car de l'air peut être acheminé dans la zone de cet élément chauffant, depuis l'extérieur ou depuis la partie haute intérieure du réservoir, via le conduit et au travers de l'élément hydrophobe. Comme on le comprend, ce conduit étant distinct du tuyau d'aspiration du fluide, on dispose ainsi d'une solution adaptable à toutes les géométries de réservoir et, en particulier, à celles pour lesquelles le tuyau d'aspiration n'est pas en contact avec le volume d'air intérieur. In all cases, the hydrophobic element is immersed near the heating element, thus preventing an outlet of the fluid thawed by the conduit, in particular to the upper part of the reservoir, and thus forcing the fluid to be sucked by the pump of the installation. However, even in case of freezing of the fluid, the suction of a quantity of fluid thawed by the heating element is made possible because air can be conveyed in the zone of this heating element, from the outside or from the inner upper part of the tank, via the conduit and through the hydrophobic element. As can be understood, this duct being distinct from the fluid suction pipe, it thus has a solution that is adaptable to all the reservoir geometries and, in particularly those for which the suction pipe is not in contact with the volume of indoor air.
L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide de la description qui suit, en référence au dessin schématique annexé représentant, à titre d'exemples, quelques formes d'exécution de ce réservoir de fluide avec système de mise à l'air :  The invention will be better understood from the description which follows, with reference to the attached schematic drawing showing, by way of examples, some embodiments of this fluid reservoir with venting system:
Figure 1 est une vue en coupe verticale d'un réservoir d'agent réducteur avec système de mise à l'air conforme à la présente invention, dans un premier mode de réalisation,  Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a reducing agent tank with venting system according to the present invention, in a first embodiment,
Figure 2 représente, plus en détails, la partie du réservoir de la figure 1 comportant le système de mise à l'air,  Figure 2 shows, in more detail, the part of the tank of Figure 1 comprising the venting system,
Figure 3 est une vue en perspective du tube de ce système de mise à l'air, avec sa membrane hydrophobe,  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tube of this venting system, with its hydrophobic membrane,
Figure 4 est une vue en perspective montrant le tube et la membrane du système de mise à l'air, dans une variante,  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the tube and membrane of the venting system, alternatively,
Figure 5 est une vue en coupe verticale d'un réservoir d'agent réducteur avec système de mise à l'air conforme à la présente invention, dans un autre mode de réalisation,  Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of a reducing agent tank with venting system according to the present invention, in another embodiment,
Figure 6 montre, en coupe verticale, encore un autre mode de réalisation de ce réservoir avec système de mise à l'air.  Figure 6 shows, in vertical section, yet another embodiment of this tank with venting system.
L' invention est décrite ci-après dans le cas d 'appl ication, non limitatif, à un réservoir d'agent réducteur en particulier à base d'urée, utilisable sur un véhicule automobile à moteur thermique à des fins de dépollution.  The invention is described below in the case of non-limiting application to a reducing agent tank, in particular based on urea, which can be used on a motor vehicle with a heat engine for the purposes of depollution.
Sur le dessin , la référence 1 désigne, dans son ensemble, un réservoir d'agent réducteur, lequel comprend une paroi inférieure 2, une paroi supérieure 3 et une paroi latérale 4. Dans les exemples illustrés, le réservoir 1 possède une forme particu l ière, avec u ne paroi inférieure 2 étagée dans laquelle on distingue une zone plus basse 2a et une zone plus haute 2b, et avec une paroi supérieure 3 elle aussi étagée, dans laquelle on distingue également une zone plus basse 3a et une zone plus haute 3b. La zone plus basse 3a de la paroi supérieure 3 surmonte la zone plus basse 2a de la paroi inférieure 2, tandis que la zone plus haute 3b de la paroi supérieure 3 surmonte la zone la plus haute 2b de la paroi inférieure 2.  In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes, as a whole, a reducing agent reservoir, which comprises a bottom wall 2, an upper wall 3 and a side wall 4. In the illustrated examples, the reservoir 1 has a particular shape. with a lower wall 2 stepped in which there is a lower zone 2a and a higher zone 2b, and with an upper wall 3 also stepped, in which there is also a lower zone 3a and a higher zone 3b. The lower zone 3a of the upper wall 3 overcomes the lower zone 2a of the lower wall 2, whereas the higher zone 3b of the upper wall 3 overcomes the uppermost zone 2b of the lower wall 2.
Le réservoir 1 contient, en utilisation, un certain volume d'agent réducteur 5, dont le niveau est indiqué en 6. Un orifice de remplissage 7, placé dans la zone la plus haute 3b de la paroi supérieure 3 et normalement obturé par un bouchon 8, permet d'introduire l'agent réducteur 5 dans le réservoir 1 . The reservoir 1 contains, in use, a certain volume of reducing agent 5, the level of which is indicated in 6. A filling orifice 7 placed in the highest zone 3b of the upper wall 3 and normally closed by a plug 8, it is possible to introduce the reducing agent 5 into the tank 1.
Dans sa partie inférieure, plus particulièrement sur la zone la plus basse 2a de sa paroi inférieure 2, le réservoir 1 est équipé d'un élément chauffant 9 de type électrique.  In its lower part, more particularly on the lowest zone 2a of its lower wall 2, the tank 1 is equipped with a heating element 9 of electrical type.
Un tuyau d'aspiration 10, sensiblement vertical, part de la zone de l'élément chauffant 9 et s'élève, à l'intérieur du réservoir 1 , jusqu'à traverser la paroi supérieure 3 dans sa partie la plus basse 3a. Le tuyau d'aspiration 10 est dirigé vers une pompe (non représentée) au moyen de laquelle l'agent réducteur 5 est puisé dans le réservoir 1 et envoyé vers un injecteur, lequel distribue cet agent réducteur dans la ligne d'échappement du véhicule concerné.  A suction pipe 10, substantially vertical, starts from the zone of the heating element 9 and rises inside the tank 1 until it passes through the upper wall 3 in its lowest part 3a. The suction pipe 10 is directed to a pump (not shown) by means of which the reducing agent 5 is drawn into the tank 1 and sent to an injector, which distributes this reducing agent in the exhaust line of the vehicle concerned. .
Le réservoir 1 est encore équipé d'un système de mise à l'air, désigné globalement par la référence 1 1 .  The tank 1 is still equipped with a venting system, generally designated by the reference 1 1.
Dans un premier mode de réalisation, illustré par les figures 1 à 4, le système de mise à l'air 1 1 comprend un conduit constitué par un tube rigide 12, dont le point de départ se situe dans la partie inférieure du réservoir 1 , à proximité de l'élément chauffant 9. Le tube rigide 12 s'élève verticalement à l'intérieur du réservoir 1 , et il atteint ou traverse la paroi supérieure 3 dans sa partie la plus basse 3a, pour déboucher à l'extérieur du réservoir 1 .  In a first embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the venting system 1 1 comprises a duct constituted by a rigid tube 12 whose starting point is located in the lower part of the tank 1, in the vicinity of the heating element 9. The rigid tube 12 rises vertically inside the tank 1, and it reaches or passes through the upper wall 3 in its lowest part 3a, to open out of the tank 1.
Au point de départ du tube rigide 12, donc à proximité de l'élément chauffant 9, est prévu un élément hydrophobe réalisable notamment sous la forme d'une membrane « respirante » 13.  At the starting point of the rigid tube 12, so close to the heating element 9, there is provided a hydrophobic element that can be produced, in particular in the form of a "breathable" membrane 13.
Comme le montrent les figures 1 à 3, l'élément hydrophobe, en particulier sous forme de membrane 13 peut être directement fixé, par exemple par col l age ou pa r su rmou l age ou par emmanchement ou par soudure, notamment soudure par ultra-sons, sur l'extrémité inférieure du tube 12. Ce mode de réalisation particulièrement simple est applicable dans le cas où l'on peut se contenter d'une membrane « respirante » 1 3 de su rface égale à la section courante du tube 12.  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the hydrophobic element, in particular in the form of a membrane 13, can be directly attached, for example by gluing or shrinking or by fitting or by welding, in particular ultra -sons, on the lower end of the tube 12. This embodiment particularly simple is applicable in the case where we can be content with a "breathable" membrane 1 3 of suface equal to the current section of the tube 12 .
Dans une variante, illustrée par les figures 2 et 4, l'élément hydrophobe en particulier sous forme de membrane 13 peut aussi être fixé, par exemple par collage ou par surmoulage ou par emmanchement ou par soudure, notamment soudure par ultra-sons, sur une pièce intermédiaire 14 de forme cylindrique adaptée sur l'extrémité inférieure du tube 12, la pièce intermédiaire 14 présentant une section supérieure à celle du tube 12. Une telle configuration est applicable dans le cas où la fonction de « respiration » nécessite une membrane 13 de relativement grande dimension. In a variant, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the hydrophobic element, in particular in the form of a membrane 13, may also be fixed, for example by gluing or by overmoulding or by fitting or by welding, in particular ultrasonic welding, on an intermediate piece 14 of cylindrical shape fitted on the lower end of the tube 12, the piece intermediate 14 having a section greater than that of the tube 12. Such a configuration is applicable in the case where the function of "breathing" requires a membrane 13 of relatively large size.
En fonctionnement, et plus particulièrement à basse température, l'élément chauffant 9 est activé de telle sorte que l'agent réducteur 5 forme, à l' intérieur du réservoir 1 , une masse gelée 5a importante, tandis qu'une certaine quantité d'agent réducteur dégelé 5b est présente tout autour de l'élément chauffant 9. L'extrémité inférieure du tuyau d'aspiration 10, ainsi que l'extrémité inférieure du tube 1 2 avec la membrane 13, sont immergées dans cette quantité d'agent réducteur dégelé 5b, comme le montre plus particulièrement la figure 2.  In operation, and more particularly at low temperature, the heating element 9 is activated so that the reducing agent 5 forms, inside the tank 1, a large frozen mass 5a, while a certain amount of The tapered reducing agent 5b is present all around the heating element 9. The lower end of the suction pipe 10, as well as the lower end of the tube 1 2 with the membrane 13, are immersed in this amount of reducing agent. 5b thawed, as shown more particularly in Figure 2.
Ainsi, lorsque l'agent réducteur doit être prélevé du réservoir 1 , l'agent réducteur dégelé 5b aspiré par le tuyau 1 0 peut être remplacé par de l'air en provenance de l'extérieur, admis par le tube 12 et traversant la membrane 1 3, tandis que celle-ci s'oppose au passage de l'agent réducteur dégelé 5b vers le tube 12. L'aspiration de l'agent réducteur dégelé 5b est donc rendue possible, et comme on le comprend ce fonctionnement peut être obtenu avec un réservoir 1 de forme quelconque.  Thus, when the reducing agent is to be taken from the tank 1, the thawed reducing agent 5b sucked by the pipe 1 0 can be replaced by air coming from the outside, admitted through the tube 12 and passing through the membrane 1 3, while this opposes the passage of the thawed reducing agent 5b to the tube 12. The suction of the thawed reducing agent 5b is made possible, and as understood this operation can be obtained with a tank 1 of any shape.
Dans un autre mode de réalisation, illustré par la figure 5, le système de mise à l'air 1 1 comprend un conduit constitué par un tuyau souple 1 5, dont le point de départ se situe ici encore dans la partie inférieure du réservoir 1 , à proximité de l'élément chauffant 9, une membrane « respirante » 13 étant prévue au point de départ dudit tuyau 15. Ce tuyau 15 forme un double coude, de telle sorte que son point d'aboutissement se situe juste au-dessous de la zone la plus haute 3b de la paroi supérieure 3 du réservoir 1 . Ainsi, l'extrémité supérieure du tuyau 15 se situe dans la poche d'air 1 6 emprisonnée à l'intérieur du réservoir 1 , entre le niveau 6 de l'agent réducteur 5 et la paroi supérieure 3 de ce réservoir 1 .  In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, the venting system 1 1 comprises a duct constituted by a hose 1 5, the starting point of which is here again in the lower part of the tank 1. near the heating element 9, a "breathable" membrane 13 is provided at the starting point of said pipe 15. This pipe 15 forms a double elbow, so that its end point is just below the highest zone 3b of the upper wall 3 of the tank 1. Thus, the upper end of the pipe 15 is located in the air pocket 166 trapped inside the tank 1, between the level 6 of the reducing agent 5 and the upper wall 3 of this tank 1.
En fonctionnement, et plus particulièrement à basse température, l'élément chauffant 9 est activé de manière à se trouver entouré d'une certaine quantité d'agent réducteur dégelé 5b, dans laquelle sont immergées l'extrémité inférieure du tuyau d'aspiration 10 ainsi que l'extrémité inférieure du tuyau 15 avec la membrane 13. Lors du puisage de l'agent réducteur dégelé 5b, par aspiration de celui-ci dans le tuyau 1 0, le volume d'agent réducteur aspiré est remplacé par de l'air qui est prélevé dans la poche d'air 16 située en partie haute d u réservoir 1 et qu i est amené au travers du tuyau 15 et de la membrane « respirante » 13, cette dernière s'opposant au passage de l'agent réducteur dégelé 5b vers le tuyau 15. In operation, and more particularly at low temperature, the heating element 9 is activated so as to be surrounded by a certain amount of thawed reducing agent 5b, in which the lower end of the suction pipe 10 is immersed. the lower end of the pipe 15 with the membrane 13. When drawing the thawed reducing agent 5b, by sucking it into the pipe 1 0, the volume of suction reductant is replaced by air which is taken from the air pocket 16 located in the upper part of the tank 1 and that it is fed through the pipe 15 and the "breathable" membrane 13, the latter opposing the passage of the thawed reducing agent 5b to the pipe 15.
La figure 6 montre encore un autre mode de réalisation, dans lequel le système de mise à l'air 1 1 comprend un tube rigide 17 de faible longueur, raccordé à la paroi inférieure 2 du réservoir 1 et débouchant ainsi à l'extérieur de ce réservoir. Un élément hydrophobe, en particulier sous forme de membrane 13, est ici fixé sur l'extrémité supérieure du tube 17, à proximité de l'élément chauffant 9. Le tube 17 peut être directement obtenu, notamment par moulage, avec la partie basse du réservoir à laquelle il se raccorde.  FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment, in which the venting system 1 1 comprises a rigid tube 17 of short length, connected to the bottom wall 2 of the tank 1 and thus opening out of this way. tank. A hydrophobic element, in particular in the form of membrane 13, is here fixed on the upper end of the tube 17, close to the heating element 9. The tube 17 can be obtained directly, in particular by molding, with the lower part of the tank to which it is connected.
On ne s'éloignerait pas du cadre de l'invention, telle que définie dans les revendications annexées :  It is not departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims:
- en réalisant le conduit du système de mise à l'air en toute matière, rigide ou souple, et en donnant toute forme à ce conduit, pour le faire aboutir en tout point approprié, selon la forme du réservoir ou la place disponible, ou encore en fonction des contraintes de fabrication ; c'est ainsi, notamment, que le conduit pourrait aboutir non pas sur la paroi supérieure ou inférieure du réservoir mais sur sa paroi latérale,  - realizing the conduit of the venting system in any material, rigid or flexible, and giving any shape to this conduit, to make it lead to any appropriate point, depending on the shape of the tank or the available space, or still depending on the manufacturing constraints; this is so, in particular, that the conduit could end not on the upper or lower wall of the tank but on its side wall,
- en réalisant l'élément hydrophobe selon toute forme, par exemple comme une pastille plus ou moins épaisse au lieu d'une membrane,  by realizing the hydrophobic element in any shape, for example as a more or less thick pellet instead of a membrane,
- en fixant cet élément hydrophobe par tout moyen,  by fixing this hydrophobic element by any means,
- en desti na nt l ' i nvention à des réservoirs de toutes formes, pouvant contenir un agent réducteur de toute nature,  - by means of the invention to tanks of all shapes, which may contain a reducing agent of any kind,
- en appliquant l'invention à des réservoirs pouvant contenir d'autres fluides susceptibles de geler, ou du moins dont la viscosité varie très fortement selon la température, et dont le pompage ou l'aspiration ne peut se faire que si ce fluide est dégelé ou sa viscosité réduite au moins localement sous l'effet d'un chauffage, par exemple un réservoir d'eau ou un réservoir de liquide lave-glace de véhicule automobile.  - By applying the invention to tanks that may contain other fluids capable of freezing, or at least whose viscosity varies greatly depending on the temperature, and whose pumping or aspiration can be done only if the fluid is thawed or its reduced viscosity at least locally under the effect of heating, for example a water tank or a washer fluid reservoir of a motor vehicle.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1 . Réservoir de fluide, par exemple réservoir d'agent réducteur, en particulier d'agent réducteur à base d'urée, utilisable sur un véhicule automobile à moteur thermique à des fins de dépollution, le réservoir (1 ) étant équipé d'un élément chauffant (9) et d'un système de mise à l'air (1 1 ) pour l'admission d'air dans la zone de l'élément chauffant (9), en remplacement du fluide (5b) dégelé par cet élément chauffant et puisé hors du réservoir (1 ), caractérisé en ce que le système de mise à l'air (1 1 ) comprend un conduit (12 ; 15 ; 17) reliant la zone de l'élément chauffant (9) soit à l'extérieur du réservoir (1 ), soit à l'intérieur de celui-ci dans une partie remplie d'air (16), et un élément hydrophobe (13), c'est-à-dire imperméable aux liquides mais perméable à l'air, placé au point de départ dudit conduit (12 ; 15 ; 17), donc à proximité de l'élément chauffant (9). 1. A fluid reservoir, for example a reducing agent reservoir, in particular a urea reducing agent, which can be used on a motor vehicle with a combustion engine for the purposes of depollution, the reservoir (1) being equipped with a heating element (9) and a venting system (1 1) for the admission of air into the zone of the heating element (9), replacing the fluid (5b) thawed by this heating element and drawn out of the tank (1), characterized in that the venting system (1 1) comprises a duct (12; 15; 17) connecting the zone of the heating element (9) either outside of the reservoir (1), either inside it in an air-filled part (16), and a hydrophobic element (13), that is to say, impermeable to liquids but permeable to air placed at the starting point of said duct (12; 15; 17), so close to the heating element (9).
2. Réservoir de fluide selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce q u e l 'él ém ent hyd rophobe est con stitué pa r u n e mem bran e d ite « respirante » (13). 2. A fluid reservoir according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydra phobic elem ent is formed by a "breathable" mem brane (13).
3. Réservoir de fluide selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que l'élément hydrophobe (13) est placé au point de départ d'un conduit, tel que tuyau souple ou tube rigide (12), reliant la zone de l'élément chauffant (9) à un point situé à l'extérieur du réservoir (1 ), dans la partie supérieure (3) de celui-ci. 3. fluid reservoir according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hydrophobic element (13) is placed at the starting point of a pipe, such as flexible pipe or rigid tube (12), connecting the zone of the heating element (9) at a point outside the tank (1) in the upper part (3) thereof.
4. Réservoir de fluide selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que l'élément hydrophobe (13) est placé au point de départ d'un conduit, tel que tuyau souple ou tube rigide (17), reliant la zone de l'élément chauffant (9) à un point situé à l'extérieur du réservoir (1 ), dans la partie inférieure (2) de celui-ci. 4. fluid reservoir according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hydrophobic element (13) is placed at the starting point of a pipe, such as flexible pipe or rigid tube (17), connecting the zone of the heating element (9) at a point outside the tank (1) in the lower part (2) thereof.
5. Réservoir de fluide selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que l'élément hydrophobe (13) est placé au point de départ d'un conduit, tel que tuyau souple (15) ou tube rigide (12), reliant la zone de l'élément chauffant (9) à un point situé à l'intérieur du réservoir (1 ) dans la partie supérieure (16) de celui-ci au-dessus du niveau (6) du fluide. 5. fluid reservoir according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hydrophobic element (13) is placed at the starting point of a conduit, such as flexible hose (15) or rigid tube (12), connecting the zone of the heating element (9) at a point located inside the reservoir (1) in the upper part (16) thereof above the level (6) of the fluid.
6. Réservoir de fluide selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que l'élément hydrophobe, en particulier sous forme de membrane (13), est directement fixé par exemple par collage ou par surmoulage ou par emmanchement ou par soudure, notamment soudure par ultra-sons, sur une extrémité du conduit, tel que tuyau souple (15) ou tube rigide (12 ; 17). 6. fluid reservoir according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the hydrophobic element, in particular in the form of membrane (13), is directly fixed for example by gluing or overmolding or by fitting or welding , in particular ultrasonic welding, on one end of the duct, such as flexible pipe (15) or rigid pipe (12; 17).
7. Réservoir de fluide selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que l'élément hydrophobe, en particulier sous forme de membrane (13), est fixé par exemple par collage ou par surmoulage ou par emmanchement ou par soudure, notamment soudure par ultra-sons, sur une pièce intermédiaire (14) adaptée sur une extrémité du conduit, tel que tuyau souple (1 5) ou tube rigide (1 2), la pièce intermédiaire (14) présentant une section supérieure à celle du conduit (12 ; 15). 7. fluid reservoir according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the hydrophobic element, in particular in the form of membrane (13), is fixed for example by gluing or overmolding or by fitting or by welding, in particular ultrasonic welding, on an intermediate piece (14) fitted to one end of the conduit, such as flexible hose (1 5) or rigid tube (1 2), the intermediate piece (14) having a section greater than that of the duct (12; 15).
8. Réservoir de fluide selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce qu ' il constitue un réservoir de l iq u ide lave-glace de véhicule automobile. 8. Fluid tank according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it constitutes a vehicle windshield wiper reservoir.
EP10763826A 2010-04-06 2010-09-07 Fluid tank having a venting system Withdrawn EP2556224A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1052572A FR2958272B1 (en) 2010-04-06 2010-04-06 RESERVOIR OF REDUCING AGENT WITH A DELIVERY SYSTEM
PCT/FR2010/051858 WO2011124770A1 (en) 2010-04-06 2010-09-07 Fluid tank having a venting system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2556224A1 true EP2556224A1 (en) 2013-02-13

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EP10763826A Withdrawn EP2556224A1 (en) 2010-04-06 2010-09-07 Fluid tank having a venting system

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EP (1) EP2556224A1 (en)
CN (1) CN102439267A (en)
FR (1) FR2958272B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2011124770A1 (en)

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CN102439267A (en) 2012-05-02
FR2958272A1 (en) 2011-10-07
FR2958272B1 (en) 2012-06-22
WO2011124770A1 (en) 2011-10-13

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