DE102024002208A1 - Adapter for leak testing of at least one exhaust gas-carrying component for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, and use of such an adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter (10) for leak testing of at least one component (12) for an exhaust tract of an internal combustion engine, comprising an exhaust gas channel (14) through which exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine can flow, comprising a base element (18) which has a test channel (20) through which a fluid can flow and which opens to an environment (22) of the base element (18) and which can be arranged in a support system with the component (12), whereby the test channel (20) can be fluidically connected to the exhaust gas channel (14), and comprising a carrier (26) which has retaining elements (28) which can be moved on the component (12) into a respective retaining position (P) by arranging the base element (18) which is slidably held on the carrier (26) along a sliding axis (30), in which the retaining elements (28) engage behind a flange (24) of the component (12).

Description

The invention relates to an adapter for leak testing of at least one exhaust gas-carrying component for the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to the use of such an adapter.

The DE 103 51 979 B4 discloses a pipe element for the construction of a piping system consisting of several pluggable pipe elements.

The object of the present invention is to provide an adapter and a use of such an adapter so that at least one exhaust gas-carrying component for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, can be particularly advantageously subjected to a leak test.

This problem is solved by an adapter having the features of claim 1 and by a use having the features of claim 5. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to an adapter for leak testing at least one exhaust gas-carrying component of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, also known as a combustion engine or internal combustion power unit, particularly of a motor vehicle. Leak testing is understood to be a leak test in which it is tested or verified whether the component is sufficiently tight, i.e., whether it exhibits sufficient sealing, or whether the component has excessive leakage, such that, for example, an excessive amount of fluid escapes from the component. The adapter, also referred to as a leak testing adapter, is thus used to perform the leak test.

The characteristic that the component is an exhaust gas-carrying component means that the component has an exhaust gas channel through which exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine can flow, with the internal combustion engine providing the exhaust gas during its fired operation.

For example, the component in question is a particulate filter, which, especially when the internal combustion engine is a diesel engine, is also referred to as a diesel particulate filter (DPF). In particular, the component can be a piping system that may, for example, incorporate the aforementioned particulate filter, especially a diesel particulate filter.

In particular, the adapter can be used to test several different exhaust gas-carrying components, namely, for example, the aforementioned component as the first component and at least one or more second exhaust gas-carrying components, for leak tightness, thus subjecting them to leak testing. The preceding and following explanations regarding the aforementioned component can readily be applied to the respective second component, and vice versa. The components differ, for example, in their designs, particularly in that they have different interfaces, also referred to as connection geometries, whereby each component can be fluidically connected to another component via its respective interface. Furthermore, each component, or rather its exhaust gas channel, can be fluidically connected to the adapter via its respective interface, as will be explained in more detail below. This means that the adapter is designed, or can be designed, in such a way that it can be connected to the different interfaces, thereby fluidly connecting the adapter to the respective exhaust gas channel and thus being used to subject the respective component to leak testing.

The adapter comprises a base element with a test channel through which a fluid, also referred to as test fluid, flows and which opens into the surrounding environment of the base element. Specifically, the test channel opens into the surrounding environment of the base element at both one and the other end. The base element can be arranged in a support system, particularly directly, with the component, especially with a flange of the component, thereby allowing the test channel to be fluidically connected to the exhaust duct. In the fluidically connected state of the test channel, the aforementioned fluid, for example, gaseous or liquid, also referred to as test fluid, can be introduced into the test channel from outside the base element and thus from the surrounding environment, particularly at one end. Subsequently, the fluid can flow through the test channel and be guided to and into the exhaust duct via the test channel. Since, in the state of the test channel being fluidically connected to the exhaust duct, the test channel opens into the exhaust duct, particularly at one end, the fluid introduced into the test channel, particularly at one end, can flow out of the test channel, particularly at the other end. and thus flow into the exhaust duct. Subsequently, it can be tested, for example, whether the fluid introduced into the exhaust duct and thus into the component via the test channel flows out of the component or not. If the fluid introduced into the exhaust duct flows out of the component, or if an excessive amount of the fluid introduced into the exhaust duct flows out of the component, then the result of the leak test is that the component is not sufficiently tight, and therefore leaks. However, if the fluid introduced into the exhaust duct does not flow out of the component, then the result of the leak test is that the component is sufficiently tight, and therefore has sufficient tightness.

The adapter also features a carrier, separate from the base element, which incorporates retaining elements. The base element is slidably held on the carrier along a sliding axis. This sliding axis is a straight line or runs along a straight line, allowing the base element to be moved along the sliding axis relative to the carrier, and thus translationally movable. The retaining elements can be moved into a specific holding position by positioning the base element on the component, in which they engage behind the aforementioned flange of the component.

The adapter also features an actuating element coupled to the base element, which is thus translationally movable along the sliding axis relative to the carrier. This actuating element is rotatable around the sliding axis relative to the carrier and, in particular, also relative to the base element. Furthermore, the actuating element is screwed to the carrier, allowing rotations of the actuating element around the sliding axis and relative to the carrier to be converted into translational movements of the actuating element and the base element along the sliding axis and relative to the carrier, both for fixing the adapter to the component and for releasing the adapter from the component.

For example, if, in a method for leak testing the component, i.e., when using the adapter for leak testing the component, the base element is arranged in direct support with the component, in particular the flange, so that the retaining elements engage behind the flange, and if, in particular, while the base element is in direct support with the component, in particular with the flange, and while the retaining elements engage behind the flange, the actuating element is rotated about the screw axis relative to the carrier and preferably also relative to the base element, in particular while a rotation of the carrier about the screw axis and relative to the actuating element does not occur, then, because the actuating element is screwed to the carrier, the carrier is displaced along the sliding axis relative to the actuating element and relative to the base element, in particular such that the retaining elements engaging behind the flange come into, in particular direct, support with the flange. The adapter is thus supported on a first side of the component via the base element, in particular such that the base element is supported on the component, especially the flange, on the first side. Simultaneously, the adapter is supported on a second side of the component, in particular such that the retaining elements on the second side are supported on the component, especially the flange, with the second side pointing away from the first side along the sliding axis and vice versa. Because the retaining elements are moved in a support position with the flange while the base element is in a support position with the component, the adapter is tensioned against the component and thereby fixed to the component. In particular, the retaining elements on the second side are tensioned against the flange and the base element on the first side is tensioned against the component. In order to release the adapter from the component, the actuating element is rotated about the screw axis relative to the support and, in particular, relative to the base element, such that the retaining elements are moved away from the flange along the screw axis. Consequently, the adapter can be removed from the component.

It is evident that the adapter can be attached to the components in a particularly simple and therefore time- and cost-effective manner, thereby fluidically connecting the test channel to the respective exhaust channel of each component. This allows the adapter to be used to subject the different components to leak testing. The single adapter can thus be used for the three different components and positioned relative to each component easily, therefore quickly and cost-effectively, without any risk of confusion.

A second aspect of the invention relates to the use of an adapter according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the adapter is used for leak testing of at least one component for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, the component having an exhaust channel through which exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine can flow. Advantages and advantageous embodiments Advantages and beneficial embodiments of the second aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and beneficial embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawing. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and/or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

• 1 eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines Adapters zur Leckprüfung von mehreren Abgas führenden Bauelementen für Abgastrakte von Verbrennungskraftmaschinen;
• 2 eine schematische Längsschnittansicht des Adapters;
• 3 ausschnittsweise eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer Anordnung des Adapters an einem der Bauelemente; und
• 4 ausschnittsweise eine schematische und geschnittene Perspektivansicht der Anordnung gemäß 3.

The drawing shows in:

• 1 a schematic perspective view of an adapter for leak testing of several exhaust gas-carrying components for exhaust systems of internal combustion engines;
• 2 a schematic longitudinal section view of the adapter;
• 3 a partial schematic perspective view of an arrangement of the adapter on one of the components; and
• 4 a schematic and sectioned perspective view of the arrangement according to 3 .

In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

1 Figure 10 shows a schematic perspective view of an adapter 10, by means of which several different exhaust gas-carrying components B for exhaust systems of internal combustion engines can be subjected to individual leak tests. One of the components is in 3 The component is shown schematically and in part, and is designated 12. The preceding and following explanations regarding component 12 can readily be applied to the other exhaust gas-carrying components and vice versa.

Out of 3 It is evident that the component 12 has an exhaust gas channel 14 through which exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine can flow. For example, the component 12 is or comprises a particulate filter 16, in particular designed as a diesel particulate filter.

From a synthesis of 1 and 2 It is particularly evident that the adapter 10 has a base element 18. The base element 18 has a test channel 20, also referred to as a test fluid, through which, for example, a gaseous or liquid fluid can flow. This test channel opens at both its first end E1 and its second end E2 to an environment 22 of the adapter 10, particularly when considering only the adapter 10. As will be explained in more detail below, the base element 18 can be arranged in a support system with the component 12, in particular with a flange 24 of the component 12, thereby connecting the test channel 20 fluidically to the exhaust duct 14.

The adapter 10 also has a carrier 26, which has several, and in this case exactly two, retaining elements 28. In the embodiment shown in the figure, each retaining element 28 is designed as a hook. The base element 18 is oriented along a sliding axis 30 ( 2 ) are slidably held on the support 26 and thus slidable relative to the support 26 along the straight sliding axis 30. In other words, the base element 18 and the support 26 are slidable relative to each other along the straight sliding axis 30, that is, translationally movable relative to each other. As will be explained in more detail below, the retaining elements 28 are arranged by arranging the base element 18 in, in particular, a direct, support system with the component 12, in particular with the flange 24, in a respective, consisting of 3 The recognizable holding position P is movable. In holding position P, the holding elements 28 engage behind the flange 24 of the component 12.

The adapter 10 also has an actuating element 32, which is coupled to the base element 18 and is therefore movable along the sliding axis 30 relative to the carrier 26. In other words, the base element 18 and the actuating element 32 are components of a single assembly, whereby the assembly and the carrier 26 are movable relative to each other along the sliding axis 30. The actuating element 32 is rotatable about the sliding axis 30 relative to the carrier 26. Furthermore, the actuating element 32 is screwed to the carrier 26. This allows rotations of the actuating element 32 around the sliding axis 30 and relative to the carrier 26, used to fix the adapter 10 to the component 12 and to release the adapter 10 from the component 12, to be converted into translational movements of the component unit, i.e., of the actuating element 32 and the base element 18, along the sliding axis 30 and relative to the carrier 26. Preferably, the actuating element 32 is also rotatable around the sliding axis 30 relative to the base element 18. In other words, the actuating element If the actuator 22 is rotated around the sliding axis 30 in a first direction of rotation relative to the carrier 26 and, for example, also relative to the base element 18, the carrier 26 is thereby, for example, displaced in a first direction of movement relative to the assembly, i.e., relative to the base element 18 and relative to the actuating element 32, which coincides with the sliding axis 30 and is illustrated by an arrow 34, because the actuating element 21 is screwed to the carrier 26 and coupled to the base element 18 at least along the sliding axis 30, in particular in such a way that translational relative movements between the actuating element 32 and the base element 18 occurring along the sliding axis 30 are prevented or at least limited. If the actuating element 32 is rotated around the sliding axis 30 in a second direction of rotation which runs around the sliding axis 30 and is opposite to the first direction of rotation relative to the carrier 26 and, for example, also relative to the base element 18, then, for example, the carrier 26 is thereby moved along the sliding axis 30 in a second direction of movement which coincides with the sliding axis 30, is illustrated by an arrow 36 and is opposite to the first direction of movement relative to the assembly, and thus relative to the actuating element 32 and relative to the base element 18.

Out of 2 It can be seen that the basic element 18 has a base body 38 and a component 40 formed separately from the base body 38. Furthermore, the basic element 18 has a sealing element 42, which is formed separately from the base body 38 and separately from the component 40. As shown in the figure, the sealing element 42 is used to... 4 It can be seen that the base body 18 is sealed against the flange 24 and thus against the component 12.

The base element 18 also has an outer circumferential surface 44 extending outwards in the radial direction of the adapter 10 and thus perpendicular to the sliding axis 30, which in this case is formed by the component 40. Furthermore, the base element 18 has an inner circumferential surface 46 extending inwards in the radial direction of the adapter 10 and thus perpendicular to the sliding axis 30, which in this case is formed by the base body 38. The circumferential surfaces 44 and 46 can be used to center the base element 18 and thus the adapter 10 relative to the components. In the embodiment shown in the figure, as can be seen from 4 It can be seen that the inner circumferential surface 46 is used to center the base body 18 relative to the component 12. The outer circumferential surface 44 is used, for example, to center the base body 18 relative to at least one other component.

It is also evident that the test channel 20 extends through the base body 38 and the component 40. Furthermore, the test channel 20 extends through an adapter element 48 of the adapter 10. The adapter element 48 is separate from the base body 38 and connected to it, in particular by screws. For example, the adapter element 48 can be detachably connected non-destructively to a fluidic line, separate from the adapter 10, through which the fluid can flow. Thus, the fluid can be supplied to the adapter 10 via the line and introduced from the environment 22 into the test channel 20, which is fluidic and can be connected to the line via its second end E2. The test channel 20 can be fluidically connected or connected to the exhaust channel 14 via its end E1, so that the fluid introduced into the test channel 20 via the end E2 can flow out of the test channel 20 via the end E1 and into the exhaust channel 14.

To fix the adapter 10 to the component 12 and to fluidically connect the test channel 20 to the exhaust channel 14, the retaining elements 28 are moved into a position in which they engage behind the flange 24. For this purpose, the adapter 10 is moved translationally perpendicular to the sliding axis 30 relative to the component 12, so that the retaining elements 28 reach the position in which they engage behind the flange 24. During or subsequently, the base element 18, in particular the sealing element 42, is moved into direct contact with the component 12, in particular with the flange 24, thereby bringing the retaining elements 28 into the respective holding position P. Holding position P may coincide with the position mentioned above or be a different position, in which the retaining elements 28 engage behind the flange 24. The actuating element 32 is then rotated in the first direction relative to the carrier 26, thereby clamping the retaining elements 28 against the flange 24 and simultaneously clamping the sealing element 42, and thus the base element 18, against the component 12, particularly against the flange 24. This fixes the adapter 10 to the component 12, and the test channel 20 is fluidically connected to the exhaust channel 14. After the leak test, the actuating element 32 is rotated in the second direction relative to the carrier 26. This moves the retaining elements 28 a short distance away from the flange 24, thereby releasing the adapter 10 from the component 12.

Out of 1 and 2 and from 3 It can be seen that the actuating element 32 has a handle 50 designed as a lever, which can be gripped by a person's hand to easily rotate the actuating element 32 relative to the carrier 26 about the sliding axis 30. For example, the actuating element 32 has a screw element 52, which is designed separately from the handle 50 and is, in particular, rotationally fixed to the handle 50. The screw element 52 has a first thread designed as an external thread, and the carrier 26 has a second thread designed as an internal thread corresponding to the first thread. The external thread is screwed, in particular directly, into the internal thread, thereby screwing the actuating element 32 to the carrier 26.

The adapter 10 also has a pressure piece 54, which is formed separately from the screw element 52 and separately from the base body 38. This pressure piece 54 can be a component of the actuating element 32 or a component of the base element 18. If, for example, the pressure piece 54 is a component of the base element 18, then the actuating element 32, and thus the screw element 52, can be rotated relative to the pressure piece 54 about the sliding axis 30. The pressure piece 54, which is formed separately from the screw element 52 and separately from the base body 38, is coupled to the base body 38 along the sliding axis 30 in such a way that a threaded pin 56 is provided. By means of the threaded pin 56, translational relative movements between the pressure piece 54 and the base body 38 along the sliding axis 30 are prevented or at least limited. Furthermore, for example, the screw element 52 is coupled to the pressure piece 54 along the sliding axis 30, so that translational relative movements between the screw element 52 and the pressure piece 54 along the sliding axis 30 are prevented or at least limited. It is also conceivable that the screw element 52 or the actuating element 32 is rotatable about the sliding axis 30 relative to the pressure piece 54.

The base body 38 and the component 40 are connected to each other, for example, in such a way that the base body 38 and the component 40 are screwed together by means of screw elements 58.

Furthermore, it is provided that the carrier 26 has guides 60 formed as recesses, wherein each guide 60 is, for example, designed as a through-opening in the carrier 26. Guide elements 62 of the base element 18 engage in each guide 60, whereby the base element 18 is guided and slidably held on the carrier 26 along the sliding axis 30. In the embodiment shown in the figure, each guide element 62 is designed as a pin, in particular as a cylindrical pin.

Since, as previously described, the adapter 10 can be fixed to the component 12 in such a way that the adapter 10 is clamped against the component 12, the handle element 50 is also referred to as a clamping lever. The sealing element 42 is, for example, designed as a ring seal. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the pressure piece 54 is connected to the screw element 52 in such a way that the pressure piece 54 can pivot relative to the screw element 52 about at least two pivot axes perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the sliding axis 30, namely a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis. This allows, for example, misalignments of the aforementioned component relative to the base body 18 to be compensated for, so that the pressure piece 54 advantageously rests flat against the base body 38.

Reference symbol list

10

adapter

12

component

14

Exhaust duct

16

Particle filter

18

basic element

20

test channel

22

Vicinity

24

flange

26

carrier

28

retaining element

30

Sliding axis

32

Actuating element

34

Arrow

36

Arrow

38

basic body

40

component

42

Sealing element

44

outer circumferential surface

46

inner circumferential surface

48

Adapter element

50

Handle element

52

Screw element

54

Print piece

56

Threaded pin

58

Screw element

60

guide

62

Guide element

E1

End

E2

End

P

Holding position

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 103 51 979 B4 [0002]

Claims (5)

Adapter (10) for leak testing at least one component (12) for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: - a base element (18) which has a test channel (20) through which a fluid can flow and which opens into an environment (22) of the base element (18) and which can be arranged in a support system with the component (12), whereby the test channel (20) can be fluidically connected to the exhaust channel (14); - a carrier (26) which has retaining elements (28) which, by arranging the base element (18) slidably on the carrier (26) along a sliding axis (30), can be moved on the component (12) into a respective retaining position (P) in which the retaining elements (28) engage behind a flange (24) of the component (12); and - an actuating element (32) coupled to the base element (18) and thereby translationally movable with the base element (18) along the sliding axis (30) relative to the carrier (26), which is rotatable about the sliding axis (30) relative to the carrier (26) and screwed to the carrier (26), whereby rotations of the actuating element (32) about the sliding axis (30) and relative to the carrier (26) for fixing the adapter (10) to the component (12) and for releasing the adapter (10) from the component (12) can be converted into translational movements of the actuating element (32) and the base element (18) along the sliding axis (30) and relative to the carrier (26). Adapter (10) to Claim 1 , characterized in that the base element (18) has an outer circumferential surface (44) pointing outwards perpendicular to the sliding axis (30) for centering the base element (18) and an inner circumferential surface (46) pointing inwards perpendicular to the sliding axis (30) for centering the base element (18). Adapter (10) to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the basic element (18) has a base body (38) and a sealing element (42) formed separately from the base body (38) and arranged on the base body (38) for sealing the basic element (18) against the building element (12). Adapter (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (26) has at least one guide (60) designed as a recess of the carrier (26), into which at least one guide element (62) of the base element (18) engages, whereby the base element (18) is guided and slidably held on the carrier (26) along the sliding axis (30). Use of an adapter (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter (10) is used for leak testing of at least one component (12) having an exhaust gas channel (14) through which exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine can flow, for an exhaust gas tract of the internal combustion engine.