FR3044738A1 - PURGE DEVICE FOR A HYDRAULIC ACTUATING SYSTEM OF A CLUTCH OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a purge device (1) for a hydraulic system for actuating a motor vehicle clutch comprising: - a body (2) provided with a supply duct (6); - a receiving duct (8) opening into the supply duct (6); - A purge connector (3) rotatably mounted in the receiving duct (8) between a purge position in which the inlet opening (12) opens into the supply duct (6) to allow fluid circulation in the purge channel (11) and a closed position in which the inlet opening (12) faces a wall of the body (2) to prevent fluid circulation in the purge channel (11); and - an annular seal (22) housed between the purge connector (3) and the purge connector receiving duct (8), the seal (22) having a through orifice which is opposite the intake opening (12) when the purge connector (3) is in its purge position.

Description

Technical Field The invention relates to the field of purging devices for a hydraulic system for actuating a motor vehicle clutch.

Technological background

In the hydraulic circuits for controlling a clutch, it is necessary to provide a purge device which makes it possible to drive off from the hydraulic circuit any fluid, such as air, other than the fluid specific to the operation of the hydraulic circuit in order to guarantee a correct operation of the clutch.

FR2808071 discloses a feed connection device for fluid pressure system providing a purge device for removing air from the hydraulic circuit. The transverse displacement of a tubular connection inside a tubular supply inlet body makes it possible to close or open a drain hole opening into the feed inlet body, in order to perform the purge of the hydraulic circuit. When the fitting is in the axially engaged position in the body in a first axial position, a seal sealingly separates the bleed hole from the hydraulic circuit. In a second axial position, the seal no longer ensures the seal between the bleed hole and the hydraulic circuit so that communication is established between the bleed hole and the hydraulic circuit thus allowing deaeration of the circuit hydraulic. The operator fixes the connection in the feed inlet body with a U-shaped pin either in the first axial position or in the second axial position. The disadvantage of such a solution is to require the operator to perform a complicated manipulation of axial displacement of the connector and fixing the connection by the pin, in order to purge the hydraulic circuit. summary

Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.

An idea underlying the invention is to provide a purge device in a manner that allows to purge the hydraulic control system of a receiver or a clutch transmitter of a motor vehicle by performing a rotation of a purge connector, for example a rotation of 90 ° or 180 °.

For this, according to one embodiment, the invention provides a purge device for a hydraulic system for actuating a motor vehicle clutch comprising: a body provided with a supply duct intended to connect an inlet of a motor vehicle; feeding to a hydraulic chamber; - A conduit for receiving a purge connector formed in the body and opening into the supply duct; a purge connector housed in the receiving conduit of the purge connector, the purge connector comprising a purge channel having a fluid inlet opening which opens into the purge connector receiving duct and an evacuation opening fluid that communicates with the outside of the body; the purge connector being rotatably mounted in the purge connector receiving duct between a purge position in which the inlet opening opens into the supply duct to allow the circulation of fluid in the discharge channel; purging and a closed position in which the inlet opening faces a wall of the body to prevent fluid flow into the purge channel; and - an annular seal housed between the purge connector and the purge connector receiving conduit, the seal having a through hole which faces the inlet opening when the purge connector is in its purge position.

Thanks to these characteristics, it is possible to easily purge a hydraulic system by simply rotating the purge connector, which is a simplified handling compared to the manipulations of the prior art, for example with respect to a translational movement of the connector of purge. In addition, the annular seal carrying an orifice has the advantage of being more reliable than a notched seal, because the friction and surface tension forces are evenly distributed over the seal around the seal. orifice, instead of distributing inhomogeneously around the notch, at the risk of tearing it.

According to advantageous embodiments, one or more of the following features may also be provided.

According to one embodiment, the inlet opening of the fluid opens in a radial direction to the receiving duct of the purge connector.

There are many ways to achieve the seal between the purge connector and the purge connector receiving duct with the seal. In one embodiment, the seal is fixedly mounted on the receiving conduit. In another embodiment, the annular seal is fixedly mounted on the purge connector.

According to one embodiment, the orifices passing through the seal is circular in shape, which optimally distributes the stresses exerted on the seal.

In one embodiment, the inlet opening is provided in a projecting portion of the purge connector, and the protruding portion of the purge connector cooperates with the seal port so that the seal attached to the purge connector. The protruding portion is, for example, nested in the orifice of the seal.

Thanks to these features, the orifice of the seal has the dual function of allowing deaeration by passage of air through the orifice of the gasket at the intake opening, and to allow the attachment of the gasket. sealing on the purge connector.

In one embodiment, the seal has a second orifice, through or blind, for cooperating with a projecting portion of the purge connector.

With these features, the seal port is securely attached to the purge connector.

In one embodiment, the seal is symmetrical. In other words, the first port and the second port are diametrically opposed to facilitate the manufacture of the seal and optimize its strength.

There are many materials suitable for the manufacture of the seal. In one embodiment, the seal is made of an elastomeric material, such as ethylene-propylene-diene monomer, generally designated by the acronym EPDM.

There are many materials suitable for the manufacture of the body and the purge connector. For example, the body may be made by molding a polymeric or metal material.

In one embodiment, the purge connector is held fixed in translation in the receiving duct by translational fixing means.

There is a large way of translating the purge connector into the receiving duct. In one embodiment, the translational fixing means comprise a U-shaped pin which cooperates with an annular groove of the purge connector and whose two branches fit into fixing orifices formed in the body and opening into the conduit of reception.

In one embodiment, the body has first and second abutment surfaces and the connector has a polarizer positioned circumferentially between the first and second abutment surfaces to limit the rotation of the purge connector relative to the body; said polarizer being adapted to abut against the first stop in the purge position and against the second stop in the closed position.

With these features, an operator can rotate the purge connector from the purge position to the closed position, by a simple rotation, for example a clockwise rotation, to close the hydraulic system under pressure. The operator can also rotate the purge connector from the closed position to the purge position, by a simple rotation, for example a counter-clockwise rotation, to purge the hydraulic system. Thanks to the polarizer and the two stops, the positioning of the purge connector in its purge or closed positions is provided precisely The two stops limit rotation at an angle of rotation, for example 90 ° or 180 °.

In one embodiment, the purge connector has a substantially cylindrical shape and the purge channel and the fluid inlet opening form a bent tubular structure within the purge connector.

In one embodiment, the purge connector protrudes into the supply channel without sealing it, and the inlet opening opens near an upper edge of the supply channel. Thanks to these characteristics, the air present in the fluid can more easily evacuate. The invention also provides a hydraulic system for actuating a motor vehicle clutch, comprising: - a supply inlet for receiving a power connector; a hydraulic chamber and a piston slidably mounted in the hydraulic chamber; a purge device as described above; the supply inlet and the hydraulic chamber being connected by the supply duct of the purge device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent from the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely for the purposes of the invention. illustrative and not limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings. - Figure 1 is a sectional view along an XY plane of a perspective view of a hydraulic control purge device for controlling a motor vehicle clutch, the purge device being in a purge position, according to one embodiment of the invention. - Figure 2 is a detailed sectional view of the purge device of Figure 1, wherein the purge device is also in the purge position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a purge connector of the purge device of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a seal intended to be arranged on the purge connector of FIG. Figure 3. - Figure 5 is a perspective view of the assembly formed by the seal of Figure 4, the purge connector of Figure 3 and a fixing pin. - Figure 6 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 5 after an X-axis rotation of 180 °. FIG. 7 is a sectional view along an XY plane similar to that of FIG. 1 in which the purge device is in a closed position; FIG. 8 is a view transverse to the Y axis illustrating an inlet of FIG. supplying the purge device of FIG. 1 when the purge device is in the closed position; FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8, the purge device being in the position of purge. FIG. 10 is a sectional view in a plane orthogonal to the X axis of the purge device of FIG. 1, in which the purge device is in the closed position; FIG. 11 is a sectional view in FIG. a plane orthogonal to the X axis of the purge device of Figure 1, in which the purge device is in the purge position, - Figure 12 schematically illustrates a hydraulic system 30 for controlling a motor vehicle clutch. .

Detailed description of embodiments

In the description, the terms "low", "high", "lower" and "upper" are used to define the relative positions of the elements of the purge device and refer to the position of the purge device when attached to the chassis of the motor vehicle.

FIGS. 1 to 11 show an exemplary embodiment of a purge device 1 according to the invention. The purge device 1 is intended to be integrated with a hydraulic control system of a motor vehicle clutch to allow to drive out of the hydraulic circuit any other fluid than the dedicated fluid, including air.

Figure 12 illustrates a hydraulic system for controlling a motor vehicle clutch. The hydraulic control system comprises a transmitter 32 which is associated with the clutch pedal 31 and is connected by a hydraulic circuit to a receiver 35. The hydraulic circuit is filled with a fluid, such as oil. The transmitter 32 and the receiver 35 each comprise a hydraulic chamber and a piston movable inside the hydraulic chamber. The piston of the receiver 35 cooperates with a clutch abutment so that a sliding movement of said piston inside the hydraulic chamber of the receiver 35 causes a movement of the clutch 33 between its disengaged position and its engaged position. . The receiver piston can cooperate directly with the clutch stop or via a clutch fork. In the first case, the clutch abutment is a concentric hydraulic abutment designated by the acronym CSC for "concentric slave cylinder" in English.

When the clutch pedal 31 moves to its depressed position, the transmitter 32 expels fluid to the receiver 35. As a result, the hydraulic chamber of the receiver 31 fills with fluid, the piston of the receiver 35 is moved so that the clutch 33 moves to its disengaged position.

The purge device 1 is here directly associated with the receiver 35 and comprises a supply channel which, on the one hand, makes it possible to connect the receiver 35 to a hose leading to the transmitter 32 and, on the other hand, communicates with the hydraulic chamber of the receiver.

Thus, the purge device 1 makes it possible in particular to empty the receiver 35 of the air which may have entered it, for example during the first assembly of the clutch device or during a maintenance operation thereof. or associated drive members requiring an opening of the hydraulic circuit.

As shown in Figure 1, the purge device 1 comprises two main organs: a body 2 and a purge connector 3. In the embodiment shown, the body 2 and the purge connector 3 are each formed of a single holding, but they can also be formed of several pieces without departing from the scope of the invention.

The body 2 forms all or part of the hydraulic chamber 4 of the receiver, in which is movable a piston, not shown. A supply duct 6 formed in the body 2 communicates the hydraulic chamber 4 with a supply inlet 5 intended to receive a supply connector (not shown) which is mounted at the end of a hose connected to the 'transmitter. The supply duct 6 is substantially cylindrical with a Y axis. The supply duct 6 has an enlargement 21 of its internal cylindrical wall 24 in the vicinity of the supply inlet 5, adapted to receive the supply connector. of the receiver. For this purpose, there is provided a spindle 20 with two branches forming substantially a U which is engaged transversely in the supply duct 6 so as to cooperate with a radial annular groove arranged in the supply connector. For more details on the connection of a connector of the hydraulic circuit to the feed inlet 5, reference FR2808071.

The communication of hydraulic fluid between the supply duct 6 and the hydraulic chamber 4 is via a supply passage 7.

The body 2 also comprises a receiving duct 8 of the purge connector which is substantially cylindrical with an axis X. The axis X corresponds to a vertical direction perpendicular to the axis Y. The receiving duct 8 opens perpendicularly to the duct. supply 6 in an upper part of the hydraulic chamber 4, at the level of the supply passage 7.

Thus, a fluid can flow from the feed inlet 5 to the hydraulic chamber 4.

The purge connector 3 is substantially cylindrical with an X axis.

The outer cylindrical surface 25 of the purge connector 3 has a frustoconical surface 18 tapering downwards, that is to say in the direction of the hydraulic chamber 4. The frustoconical surface 18 is formed between an upper portion 14 and a portion 15 of the purge connector 3. The inner cylindrical surface 23 of the receiving duct 8 has a frustoconical surface 19 flaring upwards and having a shape complementary to that of the frustoconical surface of the purge connector 3. Thus, , the two frustoconical surfaces 18, 19 cooperate with one another and define an axial abutment limiting the translation of the purge connector 3 inside the receiving duct 8. In other words, the two frustoconical surfaces 18 , 19 make it possible to maintain by gravity the purge connector 3 in the receiving duct 8. In this position, the lower part of the purge connector 3 protrudes into the supply duct 6, slightly beyond the upper edge of the supply duct 6.

The purge connector 3 is also maintained in the position engaged axially within the receiving duct 8, by a connection pin 9 with two branches forming a substantially U. The branches of the connecting pin 9 pass through the conduit by means of orifices provided in the body and opening into the receiving duct 8. Each of the branches of the connecting pin 9 is thus received inside an annular groove 10 formed in the surface cylindrical external purge connector 3. This connection pin 9 is, for example, made of metal.

The purge connector 3 has an internal purge channel 11. The purge channel 11 has, at its upper end, a discharge opening 13 of the fluid, and at its lower end, an inlet opening 12 of the fluid. The discharge opening 13 communicates with the outside of the body to allow the deaeration of the hydraulic circuit. The opening 13 is here formed in the center of a deaeration head 26 which communicates with the outside of the hydraulic circuit and is adapted and intended to receive a hose. This hose collects the fluid and is preferably transparent to allow visualization of the evacuation of air bubbles.

The purge channel 11 has a bent shape. Indeed, the purge channel has, on the one hand, a first portion coaxial with the receiving duct 8 which extends downwards, in the direction of the hydraulic chamber 4, from the discharge opening 13 and, secondly, a second portion formed radially to the receiving duct 8 from the inlet opening 12 to the first portion. The inlet opening 12 thus opens in a radial direction to the receiving duct 3.

In FIG. 1, the purge device 1 is shown in a configuration in which the deaeration is possible because the inlet opening 12 is oriented in the axial direction of the supply duct 6, that is to say in look at it. Because the purge connector 3 protrudes beyond the upper edge of the supply duct 6, the inlet opening 12 opens into the supply duct 6. The inlet opening 12 is provided at level of the upper edge of the supply duct 6, the air in the fluid can more easily escape.

The purge device 1 also comprises an annular seal 22 which cooperates with the projecting portion of the purge connector 3 in a manner to be described later. This annular seal 22 seals the junction of the inner cylindrical surface of the receiving duct 8 and the outer cylindrical surface of the purge connector 3.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the hydraulic connection between the supply duct 6 and the hydraulic chamber 4. As shown, the supply duct 6 has a portion substantially tangential to the hydraulic chamber and a radial portion 7 which opens at the of the upper part of the hydraulic chamber 4, in the extension of the receiving duct 8.

With reference to FIG. 3, certain details of the purge connector 3 will be described in more detail. The purge connector 3 has, radially projecting from its outer cylindrical wall 25, a polarizer 28 which is adapted to be housed in a groove 38, partially shown in FIG. 1. The groove 38 is formed in the body at the level of the upper end of the receiving duct 8 and has edges defining abutment surfaces cooperating with the polarizer to limit the rotation of the purge connector 3 inside the receiving duct 8. The two abutment surfaces allow to define two positions of the purge connector, respectively corresponding to a purge position and a closed position, described in more detail below.

The annular groove 10 has slight projections 27 intended to elastically prevent the rotation of the purge connector 3 by cooperation with the U-shaped branches of the connecting pin 9. Each of the U-shaped branches of the connection pin comprises an annular section in order to follow the direction of the annular groove 10 of the purge connector 3. In a rotation controlled by the user, the U-shaped limbs are spaced slightly from the annular groove 10 by the pressure exerted by the projections 27. Thus, the operator does not need to remove the connection pin 9 to perform this rotation, because the U-shaped branches deform elastically. In the closed position or the purge position, the projections 27 are placed on either side of each section of the branches, in order to elastically retain the polarizer 28 against the stop corresponding to the position.

Furthermore, the outer cylindrical surface 25 of the lower portion 15 of the purge connector 3 has an annular recess 29 which is intended to receive the annular seal 22 shown in FIG. 4. This recess 29 has a shape complementary to that of the annular seal. 22. The recess 29 has in particular an upper annular edge 30 and a lower annular edge 31 intended to cooperate respectively with an upper annular edge 32 and a lower annular edge 33 of the annular seal 22. Thus, the annular seal 22 is fixed in translation on the purge connector 3.

The recess 29 also has two radial projections 34 and 35 that are symmetrical with respect to the X axis, that is to say diametrically opposite on either side of the axis X. The annular seal 22 has two orifices 36 and 37 symmetrical, X-axis symmetry.

These projections 34 and 35 have an oval shape substantially equivalent to the oval shape of the two orifices 36 and 37 of the annular seal 22 and are respectively nested in one and the other of the projections. Thus, the annular seal 22 is rotatably fixed on the purge connector by the engagement of the projection 24 in the orifice 36, and by the engagement of the projection 35 in the orifice 37.

The radial dimension of the projections 34 and 35 is less than or equal to the thickness of the annular seal 22. The inlet opening 12 of the purge connector 3 opens into the projection 34.

Figures 5 and 6 show the purge connector 3 on which the annular seal 22 is arranged. Figure 6 shows the purge connector after an X-axis rotation of 180 ° with respect to Figure 5. The positioning of the connecting pin 9 on the annular groove 10 is also shown. The annular seal 22 is mounted on the purge connector 3 by elastic deformation. The annular seal 22 is composed of an elastomeric material, such as, for example, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM).

FIG. 7 shows the assembly formed by the body 2 and the purge connector 3 according to FIG. 1, but in which the purge connector 3 has been rotated 90 ° about the X axis in the clockwise direction.

This rotation has the effect of positioning the inlet opening 12 of the purge connector 3 against a wall of the body extending in the extension of the internal cylindrical surface 23 of the receiving duct 8. Thus, the inlet opening 12 is closed. The annular seal 22 seals the junction between the outer cylindrical surface 25 of the purge connector 3 and the inner cylindrical surface 23 of the receiving duct 8, in particular to prevent the communication of fluid between the supply duct 6 and the purge channel 11.

This position of the purge connector 3 is called the closed position because deaeration is then not possible.

In contrast, the position of the purge connector 3 shown in Fig. 1 is a purge position.

In FIG. 7, the polarizer 28 is at the end of its stroke against one of the abutment surfaces 29. An operator can rotate the purge connector 3 from the purge position to the closed position by a simple 90-hour rotation. °, in order to close the hydraulic system under pressure. The operator can also rotate the purge connector from the closed position to the purge position by a simple 90 ° counterclockwise rotation to purge the hydraulic system. Thanks to the polarizer 28 and the stop surfaces 29, the two positions of the purge connector 3, namely its purge position and its closed position are precisely defined and the operator is informed of the position in which the purge connector is located. .

Figures 8 and 9 are views transverse to the Y axis of a feed inlet of the purge device 1, in which for Figure 8 the purge connector 3 is in the closed position and for Figure 9 in the open position.

It is clearly shown in FIG. 8 that the annular seal 22 is opposite the supply inlet 5, while in FIG. 9 it is the intake opening 12 which is facing -vis the feed inlet 5.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are cross-sections at the X-axis, in a plane of the Y axis, of the purge device 1, in which for FIG. 10 the purge connector 3 is in the closed position and for FIG. 11 in the open position.

It appears clearly in FIG. 10 that the annular seal 22 is against the internal cylindrical surface 23 of the receiving duct 8, whereas in FIG. 11 the annular seal 22 opens into the supply duct 6. The use of the verb " "include", "understand" or "include" and its associated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps other than those set out in a claim. The use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" for an element or a step does not exclude, unless otherwise stated, the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps.

In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses can not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims (11)

Bleeding device (1) for a hydraulic system (30) for actuating a clutch (33) of a motor vehicle comprising: - a body (2) provided with a supply duct (6) intended to connect a feed inlet (5) to a hydraulic chamber (4); - a receiving duct (8) of a purge connector (3) formed in the body (2) and opening into the supply duct (6); - a purge connector (3) housed in the receiving duct (8) of the purge connector (3), the purge connector (3) comprising a purge channel (11) have an inlet opening (12) of the fluid which opens into the receiving duct (8) of the purge connector and a fluid discharge opening (13) which communicates with the outside of the body (2); the purge connector (3) being rotatably mounted in the receiving duct (8) of the purge connector between a purge position in which the inlet opening (12) opens into the supply duct (6) to allow fluid circulation in the purge channel (11) and a closed position in which the inlet opening (12) faces a wall of the body (2) to prevent fluid flow in the purge channel (11); and - an annular seal (22) housed between the purge connector (3) and the purge connector receiving duct (6), the seal (22) having a through orifice (36) which is facing the inlet opening (12) when the purge connector (3) is in its purge position. 2. Purge device according to claim 1, wherein the annular seal (22) is fixedly mounted on the purge connector. A purge device according to claim 2, wherein the inlet opening (12) is formed in a projecting portion (34) of the purge connector (3), and the protruding portion (34) of the purge cooperates with the orifice (36) of the seal (22) so that the seal is attached to the purge connector (3). 4. Purge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the seal (3) has a second orifice (35), through or blind, intended to cooperate with a projecting portion (37) of the purge connector. The purge device of claim 4, wherein the first port and the second port (34,35) are diametrically opposed. 6. Purge device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the purge connector (3) is held fixed in translation in the receiving duct (8) by translational fixing means. 7. Purge device according to claim 6, wherein the translational fixing means comprise a pin (9) in U which cooperates with an annular groove (10) of the purge connector (3) and whose two branches fit in fixing holes formed in the body (2) and opening into the receiving duct (8). A purge device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the body has first and second abutment surfaces (29) and the connector has a polarizer positioned circumferentially between the first and second surfaces abutment to limit the rotation of the purge connector relative to the body; said polarizer being adapted to abut against the first stop (29) in the purge position and against the second stop in the closed position. 9. Purge device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the purge channel (11) has a bent shape. The purge device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the purge connector (3) protrudes into the supply channel (6) and the inlet opening (12) opens in close proximity an upper edge of the feed channel (6). 11. A hydraulic system (30) for actuating a clutch (33) of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a supply inlet (5) for receiving a power connector; a hydraulic chamber and a piston slidably mounted in the hydraulic chamber; - A purge device according to any one of claims 1 to 10; the supply inlet (5) and the hydraulic chamber being connected by the supply duct of the purge device.