EXHAUST FUME TREATMENT ORDER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an exhaust gas treatment arrangement for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine.

[0002] To reduce pollutant emissions from internal combustion engines, exhaust aftertreatment units, such as catalytic converters or particulate filters, are used in exhaust systems. To bring these units up to operating temperature quickly, especially at relatively low ambient temperatures, it is known to provide at least one heating unit upstream of such an exhaust aftertreatment unit in the exhaust stream. This heating unit, when electrically excited, transfers heat to the gas flowing around it, particularly the exhaust gas emitted by an internal combustion engine. This heat can then be transferred to the downstream exhaust aftertreatment unit, quickly bringing it up to the operating temperature required for a catalytic reaction.

[0003] An exhaust gas treatment unit according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP 3 905 845 A1.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust gas treatment arrangement in which a defined positioning of the connecting lines intended for connecting a heating unit to a voltage source can be reliably achieved and maintained.

[0005] According to the invention, this problem is solved by an exhaust gas treatment arrangement for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one electrically excitable heating unit with a heating area arranged in an exhaust gas guide housing so as to be surrounded by exhaust gas and two connection areas penetrating the exhaust gas guide housing for connection to electrical connecting lines running outside the exhaust gas guide housing, further comprising a connecting line mounting aid element fixed with respect to the exhaust gas guide housing with a mounting aid element body.

[0006] The connecting cable mounting aid has a connecting cable positioning recess in its body, corresponding to each connecting cable to be connected to one of the connection areas, for receiving one of the connecting cables to be connected to one of the connection areas. The connecting cable mounting aid is constructed of electrically insulating material, preferably plastic.

[0007] The use of the connecting cable assembly aid ensures that, for example, when a heating unit is electrically connected to a voltage source or a control unit that applies an operating voltage to a vehicle after the integration of an exhaust system containing an exhaust gas treatment arrangement according to the invention, the connecting cables used for this purpose are held in a defined position, not affected by the connection process, particularly in the area where they connect to the connection areas of the heating unit, i.e., in the connection end areas thereof, and remain reliably in this position after this assembly process has been carried out.

[0008] Positioning that avoids mutual interference of the connecting cables can be achieved by arranging the connecting cable positioning recesses with positioning recess longitudinal axes that are essentially parallel to each other.

[0009] In order to easily insert a connecting cable into its associated positioning recess, each connecting cable positioning recess can include a groove-like indentation open towards an outside of the exhaust gas routing housing.

[0010] A design that protects against external influences and in particular also ensures electrical insulation in the area of ​​the connection end regions of the connecting cables can provide that each connection cable positioning recess is designed to accommodate a connection end region of a connecting cable that is to be electrically connected to one of the connection regions.

[0011] For this purpose, it may be provided, for example, that each connecting cable positioning recess includes a cable receiving section for receiving a cable section of the connection end area of ​​the connecting cable and a connection element receiving section adjoining the cable receiving section for receiving a connection element of the connection end area of ​​the connecting cable that adjoins the cable section and is to be electrically connected to one of the connection areas.

[0012] Since, in general, a connecting cable has a larger dimension where it is to be connected to a connection area of ​​a heating unit than in its section leading to a voltage source or control device, it is proposed that the connection element receiving section transverse to the positioning recess longitudinal axis have a larger dimension than the cable receiving section.

[0013] A design that provides enhanced protection against external influences can be achieved if the connecting cable mounting aid includes a mounting aid cover, wherein, with the mounting aid cover attached to the mounting aid body, each connecting cable positioning recess is essentially completely closed and / or a connection end area of ​​a connecting cable positioned in a respective connecting cable positioning recess is essentially completely enclosed by the connecting cable mounting aid.

[0014] For the fixed attachment of the connecting line mounting aid element in the area of ​​the exhaust gas treatment arrangement, a fastening area can be provided on the mounting aid element body.

[0015] In a design that is easy to implement yet very stable, the fastening area can comprise a plurality of fastening sections defined by fastening elements on the exhaust gas guide housing and / or a covering that at least partially surrounds the exhaust gas guide housing.

[0016] In an alternative and, in particular, advantageous embodiment of an exhaust gas treatment arrangement with regard to the achievable electrical insulation of connection end areas, the fastening area at each connection line positioning recess can include a connection pin passage opening open to the connection element receiving section and penetrated by a connection pin from one of the connection areas.

[0017] The connecting cable mounting aid element can be made entirely of such electrically insulating material, for example as a single block of material, i.e., essentially monolithic, or can at least be coated with such material in the areas where an electrically insulating effect is required.

[0018] In the exhaust gas treatment arrangement according to the invention, at least one exhaust gas treatment unit, preferably a catalyst and / or particulate filter, can be arranged downstream of the at least one heating unit in an exhaust gas flow direction.

[0019] A connecting line mounting aid element for an exhaust gas treatment arrangement constructed according to the invention is characterized in that two connecting line positioning recesses with positioning recess longitudinal axes that are essentially parallel to each other are formed in the mounting aid element body as groove-like recesses that are essentially open transversely to the positioning recess longitudinal axes.

[0020] This connecting cable assembly aid can further be characterized by the fact that: which is designed to provide at least one connection line positioning recess for the substantially complete reception of a connection end area of ​​a connection line to be electrically connected to a connection area of ​​an exhaust gas treatment arrangement, and / or a fastening area for the fixed attachment of the connection line mounting aid is provided on the mounting aid body, and / or a mounting aid cover is provided on the mounting aid body which substantially completely closes the at least one connection line positioning recess.

[0021] The invention further relates to an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one exhaust treatment arrangement constructed according to the invention, wherein a connecting line received in one of the connecting line positioning recesses of the connecting line mounting aid element is connected to each connection area.

[0022] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an exhaust gas treatment arrangement of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine; Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of an exhaust gas treatment arrangement with a connecting line assembly aid; Fig. 3 shows a view of the Fig. 2 exhaust gas treatment arrangement shown in direction of view III in Fig. 2 ; Fig. 4 a view of the in Fig. 3 exhaust gas treatment arrangement shown in view direction IV in Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 one of the Fig. 2 corresponding view of an alternative design of an exhaust gas treatment arrangement; Fig. 6 a view of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement of the Fig. 5 in the direction of VI in Fig. 5 ; Fig. 7 a view of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement of the Fig. 6 in the direction of VII in Fig. 6 ; Fig. 8 another of the Fig. 2 corresponding view of an alternative design of an exhaust gas treatment arrangement; Fig. 9 the exhaust gas treatment arrangement of the Fig. 8 with mounting aid cover removed from a mounting aid body.

[0023] In Fig. 1 Figure 10 shows a section of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, generally designated 10. The section shown depicts an exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12, in which an exhaust gas heating unit 16 is arranged upstream of an exhaust gas treatment unit 18 in an exhaust gas flow direction A, for example, within an exhaust gas routing housing 14, which may be tubular in design. The exhaust gas treatment unit 18 may, for example, comprise a catalyst, in particular an oxidation catalyst or SCR catalyst, a particulate filter, or the like.

[0024] The exhaust gas treatment unit 16 comprises a heating zone 20, which is surrounded by the exhaust gas emitted by an internal combustion engine within the exhaust gas guide housing 14 and which may, for example, be designed with a jacketed heating conductor or the like. For the supply of electrical energy, the heating unit 16 also has a respective connection zone 22, 24, extending through the exhaust gas guide housing 14, for connection to each pole of a voltage source. In each of the two connection zones, also in Fig. 2 An electrically conductive connecting pin 26, 28 penetrates the recognizable connection areas 22, 24 and electrically insulates a respective projection 30, 32 on the exhaust gas guide housing 14.

[0025] In the embodiment of an exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 shown in the figures, the tubular exhaust gas guide housing 14, which may be composed of several parts, is surrounded on its outside by a casing 34 that at least partially surrounds it and thus also provides thermal insulation. In the area of ​​the connection areas 22, 24, a recess 35 is formed in the casing 34, which may be composed of several parts, through which the connection areas 22, 24 extend and can thus be electrically connected to the connecting lines 36, 38 leading to a voltage source, a control unit, or the like.

[0026] Each of the in the Fig. 2 bis 4 In connection with a first embodiment of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12, the connecting lines 36, 38 shown have a connecting element 44, 46, provided, for example, as a sheet metal forming part and shaped like an eyelet, in each connection end region 40, 42. Each of these connecting elements 44, 46 has an opening through which a respective connecting pin 26, 28 of the connection regions 22, 24 can be passed. By screwing on a nut element (not shown in the figures) or the like, the connecting elements 44, 46 can be electrically connected to the respective connecting pins 26, 28, whereby they are pressed, for example, against a radial extension formed on the connecting pins 26, 28, which may be, for example, stepped or conical, or, for example, against the projections 32, 33, if these extend sufficiently far outwards from the exhaust gas guide housing 14.

[0027] Each connecting element 44, 46 is connected to a conductor section generally designated 48, 50 in the connection end regions 40, 42 of the connecting leads 36, 38, for example by pressing a respective connecting element 44, 46 around a conductor wire 52, 54 of the respective conductor section 48, 50 against it. In the conductor sections leading away from the connecting elements 44, 46, the conductor wires 52, 54 are surrounded by an electrically insulating sheath 56, 58.

[0028] To ensure that the connecting lines 36, 38 remain in a defined position during the assembly of the connecting lines 36, 38 to the exhaust treatment unit 12, which is already integrated into a vehicle, for example together with the exhaust system 10, particularly when the connecting elements 44, 46 are fixed to the connecting pins 26, 28, the exhaust treatment arrangement 12 includes a connecting line assembly aid element, generally designated 60. The connecting line assembly aid element is located in the Fig. 2 bis 4 The illustrated connecting cable mounting aid 60 comprises a mounting aid body 62 made of electrically insulating material, for example plastic material or the like, preferably in one piece, i.e., monolithically. This is located in the area shown in the Fig. 2 bis 4 The illustrated embodiment is defined in a fastening area 72 on the outside of the casing 34, comprising four fastening sections 64, 66, 68, 70. Fastening elements 74, such as fastening rivets or fastening screws, can be used for this purpose, which penetrate or are inserted into the fastening sections 64, 66, 68, 70 and also the casing 34.

[0029] In the area adjoining the four foot-shaped mounting sections 64, 66, 68, 70, the mounting aid body 62 has a connection line positioning recess 76, 78 corresponding to each of the two connection lines 36, 38. These recesses are elongated in the direction of a positioning recess longitudinal axis L1, L2 and are open both axially and in the direction away from the casing 34 or the exhaust gas guide housing 14, respectively, and are thus designed as groove-like indentations. Each of the connection lines 36, 38 is positioned engaging in one of these connection line positioning recesses 76, 78 and is held therein essentially transversely to the respective positioning recess longitudinal axis L1, L2 and essentially also parallel to a surface of the casing 34 or the exhaust gas guide housing 14.The transverse dimension of the connecting cable positioning recesses 76, 78 can be matched to the diameter of the cable sections 48, 50 of the connecting cables 36, 38 such that these are clamped in the respective associated connecting cable positioning recesses 76, 78. This is to achieve and maintain a defined positioning of the connecting cables 36, 38, particularly in their respective positions. Fig. 2 and 3 However, such a clamping effect is not absolutely necessary in the recognizable connection end areas 40, 42 with regard to the connection areas 22, 24 or the exhaust gas guide housing 14.

[0030] The connecting line mounting aid 60 holds the connecting lines 36, 38 in a defined position relative to each other and to the exhaust gas treatment assembly 12 during and after assembly. This eliminates the risk of damage or short circuits occurring during or after assembly, and especially during vehicle operation, due to undefined movements of the connecting lines 36, 38, particularly in the connection end regions 40, 42. The connecting line mounting aid 60 not only defines the position of the connection end regions 40, 42 essentially transversely to the connecting pins 26, 28, but also in the longitudinal direction of the connecting pins 26, 28, so that the connecting elements 44, 46 are also held in the longitudinal position required for correct attachment to the connecting pins 26, 28.

[0031] An alternative embodiment of an exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 or of a connecting line assembly aid element is described in the Fig. 5 bis 6 As shown in these figures, the connection cable positioning recesses 76, 78 formed in the mounting aid body 62 are designed such that they accommodate the entire connection end regions 40, 42 of the connection cables 36, 38, and the cables 36, 38 do not protrude substantially beyond the outer circumference of the mounting aid body 62 in the area of ​​their connection end regions 40, 42. This ensures even better protection and, in particular, improved insulation in those areas where the connection cables 36, 38 are connected to the connection pins 26, 28.

[0032] The two connection line positioning recesses 76, 78, arranged essentially parallel to each other and open away from the casing 34 and the exhaust gas duct housing 14 respectively, and provided as groove-like recesses, comprise a connection element receiving section 80, 82 in which the connection element 44, 46 of the connection end section 40, 42 received in a respective connection line positioning recess 76, 78 is positioned. A line section receiving section 84, 86 adjoins the respective connection element receiving section 80, 82, in which the line section 48, 50 adjoining the respective connection element 44, 46 extends or is held essentially transversely to the respective longitudinal axis L1, L2 of the positioning recess.

[0033] To determine the in the Fig. 5 bis 7 In this embodiment, the mounting aid element 60 of the connecting line assembly aid on the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 comprises a fastening area 72 corresponding to each connecting pin 26, 28, through which the connecting pin passes. The mounting aid body 62 is pushed onto the connecting pins 26, 28 with its fastening area 72 in such a way that the connecting pins pass through the connecting pin passages 88, 90, which are open to a connecting element receiving section 80, 82, and protrude from the mounting aid body 62, which rests on the projections 30, 32, in the area of ​​the connecting element receiving sections 80, 82.If the mounting aid body 62 is positioned in this manner at the connection areas 22, 24, the connecting lines 36, 38 can be inserted into the respective associated connecting line positioning recesses 76, 78, so that the connecting elements 44, 46 with the openings formed therein are guided over the connecting pins 26, 28. Subsequently, a nut element, for example, can be screwed onto each of the connecting pins 26, 28 in order to press the respective associated connecting element 44, 46 against the mounting aid body 62 and the latter against the projections 30, 32. In this way, the mounting aid body 62 is held firmly at the connection areas 22, 24 of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 and the connecting lines 36, 38 are, as described above with reference to the... Fig. 2 bis 4 also described, in their connection end areas 40, 42 defined with respect to each other and with respect to the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12.

[0034] Another embodiment of an exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 or of a connecting line assembly aid element 60 is shown in Fig. 8 and 9 The assembly aid body 62 essentially corresponds to the preceding one with reference to the Fig. 5 bis 7 The illustrated structure features, in the area of ​​each connecting cable positioning recess 76, 80, the cable receiving section 84, 86 and the connecting element receiving section 80, 82 adjoining it. In this embodiment as well, the connection end regions 40, 42 of the connecting cables 36, 38 are essentially completely enclosed within the contour of the mounting aid body 62 and are already essentially completely electrically insulated from the outside by it.

[0035] In the Fig. 8 and 9In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting cable mounting aid 60 further comprises a mounting aid cover 92. This cover, like the mounting aid body 62, is preferably made of electrically insulating material, for example plastic, and can be secured to the mounting aid body 62 by means of a plurality of locking mechanisms 94, 96. As shown in Fig. 8As can be clearly seen, when the mounting aid cover 92 is fixed to the mounting aid body 62, each of the connection cable positioning recesses 76, 78 formed in the mounting aid body 62 is essentially completely sealed off to the outside by the mounting aid cover 92, so that correspondingly complete electrical insulation of the connection end areas 40, 42 and, in particular, protection of them against external influences, such as moisture or the like, can be achieved. Only where the cable sections 48, 50 of the connection cables 36, 38 are led out of the mounting aid body 62 are the connection cable positioning recesses 76, 78 open in the direction of their longitudinal positioning recess axis.

[0036] In the inventive design of an exhaust gas treatment unit or a connecting line assembly aid element for an exhaust gas treatment arrangement, a defined positioning of the connection end regions of the connecting lines for a heating unit of an exhaust gas treatment arrangement is achieved using structurally simple, yet robust measures. At the same time, the connection end regions of the connecting lines can be electrically insulated from each other and from the outside, and thus protected from external influences.

Claims

1. An exhaust gas treatment arrangement for an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one electrically excitable heating unit (16) having a heating region (20) arranged in an exhaust gas guiding housing (14) such that exhaust gas can flow around it, and two connection regions (22, 24) passing through the exhaust gas guiding housing (14) for connection to electrical connection lines (36, 38) running outside the exhaust gas guiding housing (14), and furthermore comprising a connection line installation aid element (60) constructed with an electrically insulating material and having an installation aid element body (62), characterized in that the connection line installation aid element (60) which is fixed with respect to the exhaust gas guiding housing (14) comprises, in the installation aid element body (62), in association to each connection line (36, 38) to be connected to one of the connection regions (22, 24) a connection line positioning recess (76, 78) for receiving respectively one of the connection lines (36, 38) to be connected to one of the connection regions (22, 24).

2. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the connection line positioning recesses (76, 78) are arranged with positioning recess longitudinal axes (L1, L2) substantially parallel to one another.

3. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each connection line positioning recess (76, 78) comprises a groove-like hollow which is open in a direction away from an outer side of the exhaust gas guiding housing (14).

4. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in one of claims 1-3, characterized in that each connection line positioning recess (76, 78) is designed for substantially completely receiving a connection end region (40, 42) of a connection line (36, 38), which connection end region is to be electrically conductively connected to one of the connection regions (22, 24).

5. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that each connection line positioning recess (76, 78) comprises a line receiving portion (84, 86) for receiving a line region (48, 50) of the connection end region (40, 42) of the connection line (36, 38) and a connection element receiving portion (80, 82) adjoining the line receiving portion (84, 86) for receiving a connection element (44, 46) of the connection end region (40, 42) of the connection line (36, 38), which connection element (44, 46) adjoins the line region (48, 50) and is to be electrically conductively connected to one of the connection regions (22, 24).

6. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the connection element receiving portion (80, 82) has a larger dimension transversely with respect to the positioning recess longitudinal axis (L1, L2) than the line receiving portion (84, 86).

7. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the connection line installation aid element (60) comprises an installation aid element cover (92), wherein each connection line positioning recess (76, 78) is substantially completely closed when the installation aid element cover (92) is attached to the installation aid element body (62), or / and a connection end region (40, 42) of a connection line (36, 38) positioned in a respective connection line positioning recess (76, 78), is substantially completely surrounded by the connection line installation aid element (60).

8. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in one of claims 1-7, characterized in that a fastening region (72) for fixedly attaching the connection line installation aid element (60) is provided on the installation aid element body (62).

9. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the fastening region (72) comprises a plurality of fastening portions (64, 66, 68, 70) which are fixed by fastening members (74) to the exhaust gas guiding housing (14) or / and to a casing (34) surrounding the exhaust gas guiding housing (14) at least in regions.

10. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in claim 8 and claim 5, characterized in that the fastening region (72) for each connection line positioning recess (76, 78) comprises a connection pin passage opening (88, 90) which is open to the connection element receiving portion (80, 82) and through which a connection pin (26, 28) from one of the connection regions (22, 24) passes.

11. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the connection line installation aid element (60) is constructed with plastics material.

12. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in one of claims 1-11, characterized in that at least one exhaust gas treatment unit (18), preferably catalytic converter or / and particle filter, is arranged downstream of the at least one heating unit (16) in an exhaust gas flow direction.

13. An exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one exhaust gas treatment arrangement (12) as claimed in one of claims 1-12, wherein a connection line (36, 38) received in a connection line positioning recess (76, 78) of the connection line installation aid element (66) is connected to each connection region (22, 24).