FR3134143A1 - Anti-tampering device for degassing tank cap - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an anti-tampering device for a degassing tank cap of a cooling circuit of a vehicle, the cap comprising a first portion and a second portion adapted to form a shell around the cap and/or a tank neck. Figure for abstract: FIG. 1.

Description

Anti-tampering device for degassing tank cap Technical field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to the cooling circuits of vehicles and more particularly to electric or hybrid motor vehicles. In particular, the present invention relates to the cooling circuits of such electric or hybrid vehicles.

Technical background

Due to economic constraints due to the increase in fuel prices and environmental constraints linked to the regulation of polluting emissions and greenhouse gases, we are observing a development of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, i.e. i.e. using a heat engine and an electric motor.

Electric or hybrid vehicles use powerful batteries that need to be cooled. Such cooling can be obtained in particular by means of a cooling circuit comprising a heat transfer circuit circulating a cooling liquid (or heat transfer liquid) around the battery(ies) and/or around the cells of the battery(ies). (s).

Such a cooling circuit comprises a degassing tank, also called an expansion tank, delimiting an interior volume intended to receive a coolant to be degassed. Thus, such a degassing tank is provided to receive the coolant, in particular for any adjustment of the coolant level in the tank. Therefore, when servicing the vehicle, it may be necessary to add coolant to the degassing tank. Thus, such a tank includes a cap which can be removed, for example, during vehicle maintenance.

For example, it happens that the cooling circuit has a coolant leak. Such a leak could cause the vehicle to catch fire if the liquid comes into contact with the battery. In response to such a leak, an unqualified user (e.g. the vehicle owner) could react by adding coolant to the tank and thus mask the leak.

In addition, during such a coolant leveling operation, an unqualified user who intervenes to remove the cap risks touching the battery(ies) and/or their cells, which can be very dangerous for the operator. .

The present invention aims, according to at least one of its embodiments, to provide a solution which deters an unqualified user from intervening to level the coolant or adjust the coolant level. The present invention also aims, according to at least one of its embodiments, to limit the risks of a coolant leak being masked by an unqualified user. The present invention also aims, according to at least one of its embodiments, to reduce the risks associated with batteries for unqualified users.

The present invention relates to an anti-violation device for a degassing tank cap of a cooling circuit of a vehicle characterized in that it comprises a first portion and a second portion adapted to form a shell around the cap and/or of a tank neck.

Thus, the invention provides a means of preventing an unqualified user from opening the cap of the degassing tank.

Thus, for example, the anti-tampering device comprises a protective shell which can be closed around the cap and/or the neck of the degassing tank.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the anti-violation device comprises means for locking the first portion and second portion around the cap and/or the neck of the tank.

Thus, for example, once the first portion and second portion of the device are locked around the cap and/or neck of the degassing tank, it becomes difficult for an unqualified user, for example, the owner of the vehicle to carry out it himself. even a coolant leveling operation in the degassing tank. Thus, the unqualified (or non-professional) user is dissuaded, thanks to the invention, from intervening himself at the level of the cooling circuit in contact with the battery(ies) or battery cells. This has the advantage of reducing the risk of masking coolant leaks.

For example, a tool such as a screwdriver may be required to unlock the anti-tamper device previously locked around the neck of the degassing tank. As an alternative, it can also be provided that the qualified or professional operator (or user) has to break the anti-violation device before intervening. In this case, a new anti-violation device can be placed and locked on the cap and/or neck of the tank after intervention.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprise a tongue provided on the first portion and means for receiving the tongue provided in the second portion, and in that the tongue is provided to fit into place by snapping into the means of receiving the tongue.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the tongue comprises a projecting portion intended to be retained by the receiving means after snapping the tongue into the receiving means.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooling circuit is a cooling circuit of at least one battery of the vehicle.

Of course, the invention applies to any cooling circuit comprising at least one degassing tank.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle is an electric or hybrid vehicle.

Of course, by vehicle we mean any type of vehicle, for example an automobile, a motorcycle, a truck, a boat, an airplane, etc.

For the avoidance of doubt, all features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention.

In the context of the present application, it is expressly provided that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual characteristics of these, can be taken independently or in any combination. In other words, any embodiments and/or features of any embodiment may be combined in any manner, unless those features are incompatible.

For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and/or", "for example", "for example" and any other similar terms used herein should be construed as non-limiting, such that any feature so described does not necessarily have to be present. Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not these are expressly claimed. Applicant reserves the right to amend any originally filed claim or to file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend on and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in this manner.

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during reading of the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which we will refer to the appended drawings in which:

schematically shows an anti-violation device for a degassing tank cap of a cooling circuit of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention;

schematically shows, from a first perspective, the anti-violation device when applied to a neck of the degassing tank;

schematically shows, from a second perspective, the anti-violation device when applied to a neck of the degassing tank;

schematically shows the anti-violation device of the when locked onto the cap and/or neck of the degassing tank.

Detailed description of the invention

Different aspects of an anti-violation device for a cooling circuit degassing tank cap according to one embodiment of the invention are described in more detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

We describe below in relation to Figures 1 to 4, an anti-violation device for the degassing tank cap of a vehicle cooling circuit.

For example, the cooling circuit is a cooling circuit for at least one battery of the vehicle. For example, the battery is a battery comprising several cells. For example, the battery is a lithium or nickel battery. Of course, the cooling circuit can also be adapted to cool other components of the vehicle, for example an electric powertrain.

Thus, a cooling circuit as referred to in the context of the present invention can be any cooling circuit, which includes in particular cooling circuits for devices which can include at least one battery. For example, a cooling circuit according to the invention can be a cooling circuit of an electric powertrain. For example, the cooling circuit may aim to cool the electric motor(s) and/or the power electronics for controlling the motors and/or the power electronics of the on-board charger and/or the ( the) battery(s), as well as other possible components.

For example, because the battery(ies) and the electric powertrain have different operating temperatures and heat/cooling requirements, a cooling circuit according to the invention may comprise two sub-cooling circuits. which can be separated or coupled depending on the vehicle's operating modes.

The cooling circuit(s) may include several degassing tanks in the same vehicle.

For example, the vehicle is an electric vehicle. Of course, the vehicle can also be a hybrid vehicle or even any other type of vehicle.

For example, the anti-violation device comprises a first portion and a second portion adapted to form a shell around the cap and/or a neck of the tank. The anti-violation device is thus for example a shell comprising the first and second portions.

The cap may include means for locking the first portion and second portion around the cap and/or the neck of the tank.

The locking means may include a tab provided on the first portion and means for receiving the tab provided in the second portion. For example, the tongue is designed to fit by snapping into the means for receiving the tongue.

The tongue may comprise a projecting portion intended to be retained by the receiving means after snapping the tongue into the receiving means. For example, the protruding portion is a raised strip created on one end of the tongue.

For example, the receiving means comprise a corridor portion (or even pierced box) provided in the second portion into which the tongue is introduced during locking. For example, the length of the corridor portion is such that once the tongue is completely inserted, the protruding portion comes out of the corridor and is retained by a blank of the corridor portion.

It is also possible, according to other embodiments according to the invention, to integrate this anti-tampering device directly into the cap/tank assembly, by making modifications to these components. For example, this can be done without adding additional components.

Of course, as an alternative, the corridor portion can also include a recess whose dimensions and shape are provided so that it matches the projecting portion of the tongue at the time of snapping.

Throughout the description and claims, the words "include" and "contain" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not exclude) other parts, additives , components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular includes the plural, unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, when the indefinite article is used, the specification should be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention shall be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein, unless inconsistent with this one. All features disclosed in this specification (including the claims, abstract and drawings accompanying it), and/or all steps of a method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any manner any combination, except for combinations where at least some of these features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not limited to the details of all the preceding embodiments. The invention extends to any new feature, or any new combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including the claims, abstract and drawings accompanying it), or to any new feature, or any new combination, steps of any method or process thus disclosed.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or prior to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (6)

Anti-violation device for a degassing tank cap of a cooling circuit of a vehicle characterized in that it comprises a first portion and a second portion adapted to form a shell around the cap and/or a neck of the reservoir. Anti-tampering device for a tank cap according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for locking the first portion and second portion around the cap and/or the neck of the tank. Anti-tampering device for a tank cap according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking means comprise a tab provided on the first portion and means for receiving the tab provided in the second portion, and in that, the tab is designed to fit by snapping into the means for receiving the tongue. Anti-tampering device for a tank cap according to claim 3, characterized in that the tab comprises a projecting portion intended to be retained by the receiving means after snapping of the tab into the receiving means. Anti-tampering device for a fuel cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling circuit is a cooling circuit of at least one battery of the vehicle. Anti-tampering device for a fuel cap according to claim 5, characterized in that the vehicle is an electric or hybrid vehicle.