SE540037C2

SE540037C2 - Arrangement and method for cleaning a bleed hose device

Info

Publication number: SE540037C2
Application number: SE1650922A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Eklund Fredrik
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2016-06-28
Filing date: 2016-06-28
Publication date: 2018-03-06
Also published as: SE1650922A1; DE102017005772A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement (20) for cleaning a bleed hose device (22) connected to a housing of a powertrain component (2; 4; 7; 10) of a vehicle (1). The powertrain component (2; 4; 7; 10) comprises a housing containing one or more parts to be lubricated and a lubrication medium. The arrangement comprises a source for compressed air (140; 91) and a bleed hose device in fluid communication with an interior of the housing. The bleed hose device (22) comprises at least a flow directing device (24) which is arranged to be positioned in either a first operating position (I) or in a second operating position (II). In the first operating position (I) the flow directing device (24) is arranged to provide fluid communication between the interior of the housing and surrounding air and in the second operating position (II), the flow directing device (24) is arranged to provide fluid communication between the source for compressed air (140; 91) and surrounding air to thereby clean at least part of the bleed hose device (22).

Description

1 Arrangement and method for cleaning a bleed hose device TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an arrangement for cleaning a bleed hose device connectedto a housing of a powertrain component of a vehicle, to a vehicle comprising the arrangementand to a method for cleaning a bleed hose device connected to a powertrain component of a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.BACKGROUND ART Heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses, include a powertrain that may comprise e.g. aninternal combustion engine, clutch, gearbox also referred to as transmission, propeller shaft,axle gear or central gear, drive axle or axles, which usually comprise or consists of at least onerear axle and may include hub reductions, differentials and final drive means, such as drivewheels of the vehicle. Many of these powertrain components may comprise a housing that atleast partly covers one or more parts to be lubricated and a lubrication medium, such as alubrication oil or grease. Due to temperature variations during the operation of the vehicle thepressure inside the housing varies accordingly. lfthe pressure build ups are not handled, thereis a risk that the lubrication oil or grease will penetrate through seals in the housing in anuncontrollable manner. Therefore, the housing requires a solution to handle pressure variations inside the vessel.

A common solution to handle pressure build ups is to arrange a venting system for the housingthat includes a bleed hose, whereby pressure can be relieved from the housing for examplewhen the operation temperature increases. However, the bleed hose may be clogged orblocked in tough environments, such as in dusty and/or wet environments. lt is possible thatdust blocks the bleed hose or that water enters the bleed hose and thereby deteriorates the venting performance ofthe venting system.

Blocking ofthe bleed hose can be prevented for example by means of filter arrangements.However, such filter arrangements are difficult to mount in the limited space provided for powertrain components and require regular supervision and exchange. Further, filters 2including mounting arrangements increase the weight of the vehicle and add to the cost of a vehicle.

US2013/0139911 shows another prior art solution to prevent blocking of an exhaust tube anddiscloses a venting system for an axle of a heavy-duty vehicle that includes a check valve andan exhaust tube that is connected to the check valve. The check valve is arranged in fluidcommunication with the axle interior. The exhaust tube has a first end that is mounted on thecheck valve and a second end that is open to atmosphere and in fluid connection with thecheck valve. The vent system is selectively arranged to exhaust air from the axle interior toatmosphere to relieve build-ups of pressure inside the axle. The tube is mounted verticallydownwards which enables any moisture and/or other contaminants in the tube to drain out.Thus, the orientation of the tube prevents contaminants from reaching the check valve andthus the axle. However, the exhaust tube and the orientation of the exhaust tube requireregular control and supervision and clogging of the exhaust tube cannot be prevented effectively for example in dusty environments.

Therefore, there is a need to prevent blocking of bleed hoses in venting systems of powertraincomponents and keep the bleed hoses free from dust and accumulated water. Also, in casethe bleed hose has been blocked there is a need to clean the hose in a simple manner. At thesame time it is desirable that the amount of components is minimized and the weight ofthe components in the powertrain is not unnecessarily increased.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION lt is an objective ofthe present invention to provide a cleaning arrangement and a method forcleaning a bleed hose device connected to a housing of a powertrain component whichcleaning arrangement is effective, simple and space efficient, and which minimizes the amount of service occasions for ventilating systems. lt is also an objective of the present invention to provide a cleaning arrangement which requires a minimal amount of components. lt is a further objective of the present invention to provide a cleaning arrangement which is low-cost and robust. 3lt is also an objective of the present invention to provide an arrangement and/or method which automatically and regularly cleans the bleed hose device.

The objectives above are achieved by an arrangement for cleaning a bleed hose deviceaccording to the present invention. The bleed hose device is connected to a housing of apowertrain component of a vehicle and the powertrain component comprises a housingcontaining one or more parts to be lubricated and a lubrication medium. The arrangementcomprises a source for compressed air and a bleed hose device, i.e. a bleed hose device to becleaned, in fluid communication with an interior of the housing. The bleed hose devicecomprises at least a flow directing device which is arranged to be positioned in either a firstoperating position (I) or in a second operating position (ll). ln the first operating position (I)the flow directing device is arranged to provide fluid communication between the interior ofthe housing and surrounding air. Suitably, the flow directing device is arranged to prevent fluidcommunication between the source for compressed air and the interior ofthe housing andsurrounding air. ln the second operating position (ll), the flow directing device is arranged toprovide fluid communication between the source for compressed air and surrounding air andblock the flow of compressed air from the source for compressed air to the interior of the housing, to thereby clean at least part ofthe bleed hose device.

The bleed hose device can comprise at least one bleed hose connected to the flow directingdevice. By using at least one bleed hose, the distance between an air outlet ofthe bleed hosedevice and the interior of the housing can be adjusted in a simple way and the flexibility of the structure of the device can be improved.

The flow directing device can be directly connected to the powertrain component by means ofa connector means. Therefore, the amount of components and connections between different hoses or conduits can be minimized and the arrangement will become robust and simple.

The flow directing device can alternatively be indirectly connected to the powertraincomponent by providing a bleed hose between the housing of the powertrain component andthe flow directing device. ln this way, the distance between the interior of the housing and the flow directing device can be increased in a desired way. 4According to another aspect of the invention, the flow directing device is a T-nipple comprisinga check valve. The check valve can control the flow direction of compressed air in a simple way. Also, a robust construction for the flow directing device can be provided.

According to an aspect of the invention, the flow directing device is a three way valve. Thethree-way valve may be mechanical or it may be controlled electrically. A three-way valveenables accurate controlling of the arrangement while it can effectively protect the interior of the housing from contaminants.

The source for compressed air can be an outlet of a brake device of the vehicle. ln this way usecan be made of compressed air that would otherwise be released to the atmosphere. By usingthis spillage air, it is possible to obtain a cleaning arrangement that is economical, simple and space efficient. Also minimal amount of components is needed for the system.

The source for compressed air can alternatively or additionally be a container for compressedair. The container may be any container in the vehicle that is aimed for use in the arrangementfor cleaning the bleed hose device or it may be a container aimed for use in any pneumaticsystem of the vehicle, such as a brake system of the vehicle. ln this way clean pressurized aircan be provided for cleaning the bleed hose and it will be possible to control the flow of pressurized air and provide it at desired intervals and in desired amounts.

The powertrain component comprising the housing is suitably an axle, preferably a rear axle.The arrangement for cleaning a bleed hose device is particularly suitable for a rear axle of thevehicle since the source for compressed air can be arranged in an easy and economical way inproximity ofthe rear axle for example from the outlet of the brakes. However, the powertraincomponent comprising the housing could be an internal combustion engine or the powertrain component comprising the housing could be a gearbox.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising the arrangement as described above.

The present invention further relates to a method for cleaning of a bleed hose deviceconnected to a powertrain component of a vehicle. The objects mentioned above are alsoattained by the method. The powertrain component comprises a housing containing one or more parts to be lubricated and a lubrication medium. The bleed hose device is arranged in 5fluid communication with an interior of the housing and comprises comprising a flow directing device. The method comprises the steps of: - ventilating the interior of the housing by arranging the flow directingdevice in a first operating position (I), in which the flow directing deviceprovides fluid communication between the interior of the housing andsurrounding air; and - cleaning the bleed hose device by arranging the flow directing device in asecond operating position (ll), in which the flow directing device providesfluid communication between the source for compressed air andsurrounding air and blocks the flow of compressed air from the source for compressed air to the interior of the housing.

Suitably, the flow directing device prevents fluid communication between the source for compressed air and the interior ofthe housing in the first operating position. ln the method the source for compressed air can be an outlet of a brake device of the vehicle.As described above, in this way use can be made of compressed air that would otherwise bereleased to the atmosphere. By using this spillage air, it is possible to obtain a cleaningarrangement that is economical, simple and space efficient. Also minimal amount ofcomponents are needed for the system. According to one aspect, the method comprisesarranging the flow directing device in the second operating position when the brake device ofthe vehicle is released. This can be arranged by electrically controlling the flow directingdevice. Alternatively, the flow directing device comprises a check valve which opensautomatically when the pressure generated by the compressed air flow is higher than themechanical load affecting the check valve, whereby the valve is opened. Thus, it is possible to obtain a flow directing device with a simple structure.

The method can be performed in connection with many powertrain components. According toone aspect the powertrain component comprising the housing is an axle. According to another aspect, the powertrain component comprising the housing is an internal combustion engine.

Further objects and advantages are described more in detail in the below detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFig. 1 shows schematically a heavy vehicle comprising a powertrain; Fig. 2 shows a schernatic biock diagram ot a povvertrain cornprising a component to be ventiiated by rneans ot a bieed hose device; Fig. 3a~3c show schematicaiiy exampies tor ditterent constructions tor the bieeci hose device;Fig. f-'i-a--íi-b show the bieed hose device in a tirst and second operating positions, respectiveiy;Fig. 5 shows a rear axie coinprisirig a bieed hose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Povvertrain components comprising a housing inciuding parts to be Eubricated and aEubrication medium, such as an internai cornbustion engine, a gearbox or axies inciuciing hubreductions require a soiution to handie Variations ot pressure inside the housing ot thecomponent. A common soiution is to vent the component through a nippie and a bieed hose.However, as mentioned above in the background portion, the bleed hose may be clogged orblocked in dusty and/or moist environments whereby the venting performance ot the venting system is prevented or deteriorated.

Reference is made to Fig. l which schematicaiiy shows a side view ot a vehicie 1, and Fig. 2vvhich schernaticaiiy shows a chassis 8 ot the vehicie coinprisirig powertrain corrrporrents. Thevehicie 1 cornprises an internai corrrbustiori engine 2 to vvhich a compressor 12 is connected toprovide compressed air to the brakiitg system 14 ot the vehicie. The tiraking system llicomprises one or more containers 1.40 trom which cornpressed air is deiivered to hrakes 9 inconnection with driving wheeis 5 or brakes 19 in connection vvith the tront vt/heeis 16 ot thevehicie. "the braizes 9, 19 comprise a respective outiet 91 trorn which surpius air is reieasedwhen the brakes are reieased. The internai combustion engine 2 is turther connected to agearbox Li via a ciutch (not shown). "the gearbox li is connected to the pair ot driving vi/heeis 6ot the vehicie 1 through a propeiier shatt 5 and an axie gear 7. The driving *wheeis 6 arernounted on a rear axie 10, and the trorit wheeis are suspended by a trorit axie 11.The vehicle 1 may be a heavy vehicle, e.g. a truck or a bus. 7 ln the present disclosure, a bleed hose device is connected to a housing of a powertraincomponent to ventilate the interior of the component when pressure variations occur. Thepowertrain component comprises a housing containing one or more parts to be lubricated anda lubrication medium and can be for example the internal combustion engine 2, the gearbox 4,the axle gear 7 or the rear axle 10 as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows an example of componentsin a powertrain, but it should be noted that the vehicle may comprise several pairs of drivingwheels, for example two pairs of driving wheels, and the vehicle may thus comprisecorrespondingly several rear axles, such as two rear axles. ln the example of Fig. 2 a bleed hose device 22 is connected to a rear axle 10 ofthe vehicle.

The bleed hose device 22 in the present disclosure comprises a flow directing device 24 asschematically illustrated in Fig. 2. The bleed hose device 22 also usually comprises a bleedhose 26 which is connected to the flow directing device so that it can lead air from the interiorof the component to the surrounding air. By means of the bleed hose it is possible to arrangean outlet for air at a desired distance from the interior of the housing, whereby the interiormay be protected from dirt and moist entering the housing. Thus, the bleed hose device maycomprise at least one bleed hose connected to the flow directing device. ln this way theflexibility ofthe arrangement is improved and it can thus be arranged in a vehicle in a desiredway. The material for the bleed hose may be a plastic material. The plastic material may be forexample polyvinylchloride (PVC), but any corresponding material could be used. The hosematerial may be transparent, whereby it can be easily observed ifthe bleed hose has cloggedportions. The diameter of the bleed hose is adapted to the component to be ventilated and may have a diameter for example from 5 mm to 25 mm, but is not limited to this interval.

The arrangement for cleaning the bleed hose device comprises the bleed hose device and asource for compressed air, which provides compressed air to blow at least part of the bleedhose device and thus remove dust and moist that clog the device and thereby clean the bleedhose device. The amount of bleed hoses connected to the flow directing device depends onthe desired structure of the bleed hose device and e.g. on how it is fastened to the housing of the powertrain component and positioned in relation to a source for compressed air.

The bleed hose device can be directly or indirectly connected to the housing of the powertrain component. By directly connected is meant that the flow directing device is connected directly 8 to the housing and fastened to the powertrain component by means of a connector means,which can be any suitable mechanical coupling means, such as a bayonet coupling or any quickcoupling means. A bleed hose can then in turn be connected to the flow directing devicedownstream ofthe flow directing device when air is removed from the housing such that aircan flow from the interior of the housing to the surrounding air. Fig. 3a shows schematically anexample of an arrangement 20 for cleaning a bleed hose device in which a flow directingdevice 24 is directly connected to a rear axle 10. The bleed hose device 22 also preferablycomprises a bleed hose 26, which is connected to the flow directing device to lead air from orto the interior of the rear axle depending on the pressure inside the rear axle 10. A source 91for compressed air is connected to the flow directing device by means of a conduit 28. ln someembodiments the conduit 28 could be omitted and the flow directing device could be directlyconnected to the source for compressed air. Furthermore, the bleed hose device could in anembodiment consist of the flow directing device, which may be dimensioned to fit into thedesired position. ln connection with the bleed hose device shown in Fig. 3a, the bleed hose 26 may be clogged by for example dust, which needs to be removed.

The source for compressed air may be for example an outlet from brakes of the vehicle. ln thisway it is possible to utilize surplus compressed air, which normally is released to thesurrounding air, and thus provide an energy efficient arrangement which requires minimalamount of new components. Alternatively, the source for compressed air may be any pressurecontainer for compressed air in the vehicle and it can be allocated for the arrangement.

Suitably, the source could be a pressure container in the braking system of the vehicle.

By bleed hose device being indirectly connected to the housing ofthe powertrain componentis meant that a bleed hose is provided between the housing and the flow directing device. Fig.3b shows schematically an example of an arrangement 20 for cleaning a bleed hose device inwhich a flow directing device 24 is connected to the housing of a rear axle 10 via a bleed hose27. The bleed hose 27 is arranged between the rear axle and the flow directing device 24 andis connected to the flow directing device to lead air from or to the interior of the housing ofthe rear axle 10 depending on the pressure inside the rear axle 10. A source 91 forcompressed air is connected to the flow directing device by means of a conduit 28. ln theembodiment of Fig. 3b, the flow directing device 24 is located outermost and thus it may be clogged by for example dust, which needs to be removed. 9 Suitably, the bleed hose device 22 comprises at least two bleed hoses 26 and 27 as shown inFig 3c, which shows a further embodiment of an arrangement 20 for cleaning a bleed hosedevice 22. ln the shown embodiment a bleed hose 27, herein referred to as a second bleedhose, is provided between the housing ofthe rear axle 10 and the flow directing device 24.The flow directing device is also connected to a bleed hose 26, herein referred to as a firstbleed hose. ln connection with the bleed hose device shown in Fig. 3c, the bleed hose 26 maybe clogged by for example dust, which needs to be removed. By having at least two bleedhoses in the bleed hose device, it will be easy to replace parts of the device in case of damage.

Also the construction of the device will be flexible. ln an indirect connection, the bleed hose or the second bleed hose can be connected to thehousing such that the hose extends inside the interior of the housing through an opening andis located between the housing and the flow directing device. Alternatively, the second bleedhose may be connected to the housing via a connecting means, which may be for example anipple connection or any corresponding means, as long as the interior ofthe housing cancome in contact with surrounding air through the bleed hose. The flow directing device comprises means to control the direction of an air flow in the flow directing device. ln the cleaning arrangement ofthe present invention, care should be taken that no dust, moistor dirt can pass into the housing. Also, compressed air should not enter the housing. For thisreason, the flow directing device should be provided with a functionality to control thedirection of the air flow or air flows. Basically, the flow directing device is arranged to bepositioned in two different positions, i.e. in a first or second operating position, whereby aircan be arranged to flow in different ways. The different flow directions can be obtained forexample by arranging one or more check valves in the flow directing device or for example byelectrically controlling the flow directing device. The flow directing device may be for examplea nipple, preferably a T-nipple, comprising one or more check valves, which can be spring-loaded and/or comprise swinging or tilting means, whereby the direction of air flows can bearranged in a desired way. By nipple is meant a fitting that comprises a short piece of pipe thatcan be coupled to a bleed hose, conduit and/or directly to the housing of a powertraincomponent. Alternatively, the flow directing device may be an electrical two-way or a three-way valve or it can be a mechanical three-way swinging check valve or a three-way tilting check valve and the swinging or tilting means in the valves can be spring-loaded. Alternatively, the swinging or tilting means in the valves can be electrically controllable. To open the valve sothat compressed air can flow into the flow directing device the pressure created by the airflow must be higher than the spring force or the mechanical force preventing the tilting or swinging movement of the check valve in closed position.

According to the present invention, in the first operating position, which is illustrated in Fig.4a, the flow directing device 24 of the bleed hose device 22 is arranged to provide fluidcommunication between the interior ofthe housing, which in the illustrated example is ahousing of a rear axle 10, and surrounding air via a first bleed hose 26 and a second bleed hose27 and to prevent fluid communication between the source for compressed air 91 and theinterior ofthe housing. Thus, the interior of the housing may be ventilated and air can passthrough the bleed hose device in or out ofthe housing, meaning that air is removed from theinterior of the housing in case of increased pressure inside the housing or air can flow into theinterior ofthe housing in case of decreased pressure inside the housing. ln the first operatingposition (I) compressed air is not provided to the bleed hose device and thus, compressed airdoes not flow through the flow directing device. Also, surrounding air is prevented fromflowing towards the source for compressed air for example by using a check valve 29 whichopens when the flow pressure is higher than the mechanical force keeping the check valve closed.

Further, according to the present invention, in the second operating position (ll) illustrated inFig 4b, the flow directing device is arranged to provide fluid communication between thesource for compressed air 91 and surrounding air. This means that compressed air can flowwith high pressure through the flow directing device 24 and at least one bleed hose, i.e. thefirst bleed hose 26, out to surrounding air. The flow of compressed air is simultaneouslyblocked to the interior of the housing 10 by means of the check valve 29 so that no dust, moistor dirt can enter the interior of the housing. ln the illustrated example, the check valve 29comprises a swinging element 30 which moves from the first position to the second positionby means of mechanical force created by the compressed air. ln this way compressed air canbe fed through the bleed hose 26 and thus remove dust and moist from at least part of thebleed hose device, i.e. the first bleed hose 26 and at least part ofthe flow directing device 24,and thereby cleans at least part ofthe bleed hose device 22. As explained above, the source for compressed air may be outlet ofthe brakes, but it could be any container for compressed 11 air. The container is suitably fastened to the vehicle and is a part of a compressed air system inthe vehicle. Preferably, the container is a part of the brake system 14 of the vehicle, as shownin Fig. 2. The brake system may comprise one or several containers 140 for compressed air.When the source for compressed air is the outlet of the brakes 91, the flow directing device 22will be arranged in the second operating position when the brake device 9 ofthe vehicle 1 isreleased. Therefore the surplus air will be utilized and a minimal amount of components for the cleaning arrangement will be needed.

Fig. 5 shows a rear axle 10 comprising a bleed hose 56. A bleed hose device 22 as described inconnection with Fig. 3a-3c could replace the bleed hose 56, and an arrangement as describedin connection with Fig. 4a and 4b could be provided for cleaning the bleed hose device. As canbe seen from the Fig. 5, it is possible to place the bleed hose device as close as possible to aposition 58 where the wheel is mounted on the axle. Thus the bleed hose device will belocated in proximity of the outlet of the brakes and a compact arrangement for cleaning the bleed hose device may be provided.

The components and features specified above may, within the framework of the invention, be combined between different embodiments specified.

Claims

12 CLAll\/IS

1. Arrangement (20) for cleaning a bleed hose device (20) connected to a housing of apowertrain component (2; 4; 7; 10) of a vehicle (1), the powertrain component (2; 4; 7; 10)comprising a housing containing one or more parts to be lubricated and a lubrication medium,wherein the arrangement comprises a source for compressed air (140; 91) and a bleed hosedevice (22) in fluid communication with an interior of the housing, characterized in that thebleed hose device (22) comprises at least a flow directing device (24) which is arranged to bepositioned in either a first operating position (I) or in a second operating position (ll), wherein-in the first operating position (I) the flow directing device (24) is arranged toprovide fluid communication between the interior ofthe housing andsurrounding air; and-in the second operating position (ll), the flow directing device (24) is arrangedto provide fluid communication between the source for compressed air (140; 91)and surrounding air and block the flow of compressed air from the source forcompressed air (140; 91) to the interior ofthe housing, to thereby clean at least part ofthe bleed hose device (22).

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the bleed hose device (22) comprises at least one bleed hose (26) connected to the flow directing device (24).

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow directing device (24) is directlyconnected to the housing of the powertrain component (2; 4; 7; 10) by means of connector meanS.

4. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow directing device (24) is indirectlyconnected to the powertrain component (2; 4; 7; 10) by providing a bleed hose (27) between the housing of the powertrain component and the flow directing device (24).

5. 135. Arrangement according to claim any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the flow directing device (24) is a T-nipple comprising a check valve (29).

6. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow directing device (24) is a three way valve.

7. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the source for compressed air is an outlet (91) of a brake device of the vehicle (9; 19).

8. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the source for compressed air is a pressure container (140) for compressed air.

9. Arrangement according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the powertraincomponent comprising the housing is an axle, preferably a rear axle (10), an internal combustion engine (2) or a gearbox (4).

10. Vehicle (1) comprising the arrangement of any one of claims 1-9.

11. Method for cleaning of a bleed hose device (22) connected to a powertrain component (2;4; 7; 10) ofa vehicle (1), the powertrain component (2; 4; 7; 10) comprising a housingcontaining one or more parts to be lubricated and a lubrication medium, the bleed hosedevice (22) being arranged in fluid communication with an interior ofthe housing andcomprising a flow directing device (24), the method comprising the steps of:- ventilating the interior of the housing by arranging the flow directing device(24) in a first operating position (I), in which the flow directing device (24)provides fluid communication between the interior of the housing; and- cleaning the bleed hose device by arranging the flow directing device (24) in asecond operating position (ll), in which the flow directing device (24) providesfluid communication between the source for compressed air (140; 91) andsurrounding air and blocks the flow of compressed air from the source (140; 91) for compressed air to the interior of the housing. 14

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the method comprises arranging the flow directingdevice (24) in the second operating position when the brake device (9; 19) of the vehicle (1) is released.