Catalytic converter, exhaust gas treatment system and associated vehicle.

Abstract

This catalytic converter (8) for a motor vehicle (2) includes a central portion (14) intended to collect exhaust gases from a heat engine (4) of the vehicle (2) and at least one end portion (12, 16), the end portion (12, 16) being connected to the central portion (14) and having an opening (24, 44) configured to accommodate a sensor (10, 46) for the composition of said exhaust gases. The catalytic converter (8) includes at least one closed receptacle (28, 50), the closed receptacle (28, 50) being located at a second end of the end portion (12, 16) opposite a first end of the end portion (12, 16) comprising the opening (24, 44) and comprising a condensate extraction opening (30) opening into the central portion (14) so ​​that during a change in speed of the vehicle (2), a condensed fluid from the exhaust gases in the central portion (14) flows into the receptacle (28, 50).Figure for the summary: Fig 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Catalytic converter, exhaust gas treatment system and associated vehicle. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to catalytic converters for motor vehicles, and more particularly to a catalytic converter configured to accommodate at least one sensor analyzing the composition of the exhaust gases from a thermal combustion engine of the vehicle.

[0002] The invention further relates to an exhaust gas treatment system comprising such a catalytic converter and a motor vehicle comprising such a system. Previous techniques

[0003] An exhaust line of a motor vehicle with internal combustion generally includes at least one sensor analyzing the exhaust gases coming from an engine of the vehicle.

[0004] The vehicle includes, for example, a first sensor located upstream of the vehicle's catalyst to measure the oxygen level of the exhaust gases entering the catalyst in order to regulate the richness of the engine's air-fuel mixture to ensure good exhaust gas treatment efficiency, in particular to set the richness of the air-fuel mixture to a value equal to 1.

[0005] The vehicle includes, for example, a second sensor located downstream of the catalyst to measure the oxygen level of the exhaust gases exiting the catalyst in order to regulate the richness of the air-fuel mixture of the engine in order to ensure good efficiency of exhaust gas treatment in particular to set the richness of the air-fuel mixture to a value greater than 1 when the oxygen stock in the catalyst is too high.

[0006] The exhaust gases contain water from the combustion of the air-fuel mixture. This water condenses in the exhaust system, particularly when the engine is off. The exhaust system is then cooled. However, the condensed water accumulates at the bottom of the catalytic converter by gravity.

[0007] When the engine is restarted, the exhaust system is not hot enough for all the water condensed in the catalytic converter to evaporate. When the vehicle accelerates, the condensed water is set in motion. When the vehicle brakes, there is a risk that condensed water will come into contact with the first sensor located upstream of the catalytic converter. When the vehicle accelerates suddenly, there is a risk that condensed water will come into contact with the second sensor located downstream of the catalytic converter.

[0008] Such a sensor analyzing exhaust gases generally presents a high risk of deterioration if it comes into contact with water. The sensor therefore requires protection against condensation forming in the exhaust system, and more specifically in the catalytic converter. Description of the invention

[0009] The present invention therefore aims to overcome all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0010] The present invention relates to a catalytic converter for a motor vehicle comprising a central portion for collecting exhaust gases from a thermal engine of the vehicle and at least one end portion, the end portion being connected to the central portion and having an opening configured to accommodate a sensor for the composition of said exhaust gases, the catalytic converter comprising at least one closed receptacle.

[0011] The closed receptacle is located at a second end of the end portion opposite a first end of the end portion comprising the opening and comprising a condensate extraction opening leading into the central portion so that during a change in vehicle speed, a condensed fluid from the exhaust gases in the central portion flows into the receptacle.

[0012] Thus, the present invention makes it possible to prevent a fluid condensed in the central portion from reaching and damaging the exhaust gas composition sensor.

[0013] In one embodiment, the end portion is an upstream end portion attached to the central portion and intended to be connected to the vehicle's internal combustion engine so that the exhaust gases flow into the central portion through the upstream end portion.

[0014] In one embodiment, the end portion is a downstream end portion integral with the central portion so that the exhaust gases escape from the central portion through the downstream end portion.

[0015] Advantageously, the end portion includes an exhaust gas evacuation conduit connected to the central portion, a first longitudinal wall of the receptacle conforming to the evacuation conduit.

[0016] Preferably, the first longitudinal wall of the receptacle is formed by the conduit.

[0017] Optionally, the central portion is cylindrical, the receptacle comprising a second longitudinal wall extending a part of the lateral surface of the cylindrical central portion.

[0018] The present invention also relates to an exhaust gas treatment system for a motor vehicle comprising a catalytic converter such as defined previously, and an exhaust gas composition sensor disposed in the opening to analyze at least one component of the exhaust gases.

[0019] Advantageously, the sensor analyzes an oxygen level.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a heat engine and an exhaust gas treatment system as defined above.

[0021] Preferably, the catalytic converter is arranged in the vehicle so that the minimum distance between a contact plane and the receptacle is less than the minimum distance between the contact plane and the opening, the contact plane passing through the contact surfaces of the vehicle's wheels with a road surface on which the vehicle is moving. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a catalytic converter according to a first mode implementation of the invention, the receptacle being located downstream of the central portion of the catalyst;

[0025] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a catalytic converter according to a second embodiment of the invention, the receptacle being located downstream of the central portion of the catalyst; and

[0026] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a catalytic converter according to a third embodiment of the invention, the receptacle being located upstream of the central portion of the catalyst.

[0027] Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0028] Figure 1 schematically represents a motor vehicle 2 comprising an internal combustion engine 4 and an exhaust gas treatment system 6 connected to the engine. The treatment system 6 treats the exhaust gases generated by the engine 4 to reduce pollutants, particularly nitrogen oxides.

[0029] The treatment system 6 includes a catalytic converter 8 and at least one exhaust gas composition sensor 10.

[0030] Figure 2 schematically represents a catalytic converter 8 according to a first embodiment. The catalytic converter 8 comprises, for example, a three-way catalyst and / or a nitrogen oxide trap.

[0031] The catalytic converter 8 comprises an upstream portion 12, a central portion 14 and a downstream portion 16, for example made of steel such as stainless steel. The catalytic converter 8 is intended to be connected to the internal combustion engine 4 of a vehicle 2.

[0032] The central portion 14 is, for example, cylindrical. Advantageously, the central portion 14 comprises at least one catalytic monolith made of ceramic or precious metal loaded, for example, in the shape of a honeycomb made from stainless steel strips, for treating the exhaust gases in such a way as to reduce the polluting species present in the exhaust gases (not shown).

[0033] The upstream portion 12 includes for example a portion 17 in the shape of a truncated cone, the end with the larger diameter being connected to the central portion 14 and the end with the smaller diameter being connected to a first evacuation conduit 20 of the upstream portion 12 connected to the thermal engine 4.

[0034] The downstream portion 16 includes a second exhaust gas discharge conduit 18, the second discharge conduit 18 being for example in the shape of a truncated cone or a shape close to a truncated cone, the end with the larger diameter being connected to the central portion 14 on the side opposite the upstream portion 12 and the side with the smaller diameter being connected to an exhaust conduit 22 for the discharge of exhaust gases treated in the central portion 14.

[0035] A first end of the downstream portion 16 includes an opening 24 in which the exhaust gas composition sensor 10 is placed. For example, the opening 24 is made in a wall 26 of the second exhaust duct 18.

[0036] The composition sensor 10 includes, for example, an oxygen probe for measuring and / or analyzing the oxygen level of the exhaust gases or a nitrogen oxide sensor.

[0037] The catalytic converter 8 includes a closed receptacle 28 located at a second end of the downstream portion 16. The second end is opposite the first end of the downstream portion 16. The receptacle 28 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0038] The receptacle 28 includes a condensate extraction opening 30 leading into the central portion 14.

[0039] The catalytic converter 8 is arranged in the vehicle 2 so that the minimum distance between a contact plane 32 and the receptacle 28 is less than the minimum distance between the contact plane 32 and the opening 24.

[0040] The contact plane 32 passes through the contact surfaces of the wheels 34 of the vehicle 2 with a roadway 36 on which the vehicle 2 is moving.

[0041] When the vehicle 2 accelerates, the unvaporized condensate accumulated in the central portion 14 is projected into the receptacle 28 through the condensate extraction opening 30 under the effect of the acceleration force.

[0042] Thus, the condensates do not come into contact with the sensor 10, limiting the risks sensor breakage 10.

[0043] Figure 3 schematically represents a catalytic converter 8 according to a second embodiment. The downstream portion 16 includes the second tubular discharge conduit 18 such that a condensing fluid from the exhaust gases in the second discharge conduit 18 flows towards the central portion 14 and / or into the receptacle 28. The receptacle 28 includes a first longitudinal wall 38 conforming to the second exhaust gas discharge conduit 18.

[0044] The first longitudinal wall 38 of the receptacle 28 is formed by the second discharge conduit 18. The volume of the receptacle 28, and therefore the quantity of fluid that the receptacle 28 can contain, is increased.

[0045] Advantageously, the opening 24 of the downstream portion 16 is made in a wall 26 of the second evacuation conduit 18 opposite the first longitudinal wall 38 of the receptacle 28 formed by the second conduit 18.

[0046] The receptacle 28 includes a second longitudinal wall 40, opposite the first longitudinal wall 38, extending a part of the lateral surface 42 of the central portion 14.

[0047] Figure [Fig.4] schematically represents a catalytic converter 8 according to a third embodiment.

[0048] The upstream portion 12 includes the truncated cone-shaped portion 17, the larger diameter end being connected to the central portion 14 and the smaller diameter end being connected to the first discharge conduit 20 of the upstream portion 12 connected to the thermal engine 4.

[0049] A first end of the upstream portion 12 includes an opening 44 in which is placed an exhaust gas composition sensor 46 similar to the sensor 10. For example, the opening 44 is made in a wall 48 of the first exhaust duct 20 of the upstream portion 12. In one embodiment, the opening is made in a wall of the portion 17.

[0050] The catalytic converter 8 includes a closed receptacle 50 located at a second end of the upstream portion 12. The second end is opposite the first end of the upstream portion 12.

[0051] The receptacle 50 includes a condensate extraction opening 52 leading into the central portion 14.

[0052] A fluid condensing exhaust gases in the upstream part 12 flows towards the central portion 14 and / or into the receptacle 50.

[0053] The receptacle 50 includes a first longitudinal wall 54 formed by the first evacuation conduit 20 of the upstream portion 12.

[0054] The receptacle 50 comprises a second longitudinal wall 56, opposite the first longitudinal wall 54, extending a portion of the lateral surface 42 of the central portion 14.

[0055] Advantageously, the opening 44 of the upstream portion 12 is made in a wall 48 of the first evacuation conduit 20 opposite the first longitudinal wall 54 of the receptacle 50 formed by the first evacuation conduit 20.

[0056] In one embodiment, the first longitudinal wall 54 follows the first evacuation conduit 20 of the upstream portion 12 or the receptacle 50 is a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0057] The catalytic converter 8 is arranged in the vehicle 2 so that the minimum distance between a contact plane 32 and the receptacle 50 is less than the minimum distance between the contact plane 32 and the opening 44.

[0058] When the vehicle 2 brakes, the unvaporized condensate accumulated in the central portion 14 is projected into the receptacle 50 through the condensate extraction opening 52 under the effect of the braking force.

[0059] Thus, the condensates do not come into contact with the sensor 46, limiting the risk of breakage of the sensor 46.

[0060] In a particular embodiment, the catalytic converter 8 comprises a first receptacle 28 located at the second end of the downstream portion 16 and a second receptacle 50 located at the second end of the upstream portion 12, the downstream portion 16 comprising an opening 24 configured to accommodate a first exhaust gas composition sensor 10, the upstream portion 12 comprising an opening 44 configured to accommodate a second exhaust gas composition sensor 46.

Claims

Demands

1. A catalytic converter (8) for a motor vehicle (2) comprising a central portion (14) for collecting exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine (4) of the vehicle (2) and at least one end portion (12, 16), the end portion (12, 16) being connected to the central portion (14) and having an opening (24, 44) configured to accommodate a sensor (10, 46) for the composition of said exhaust gases, the catalytic converter (8) comprising at least one closed receptacle (28, 50), characterized in that the closed receptacle (28, 50) is located at a second end of the end portion (12, 16) opposite a first end of the end portion (12, 16) comprising the opening (24, 44) and includes a condensate extraction opening (30, 52) opening into the central portion (14) so ​​that during a change in speed of the vehicle (2),A condensed fluid from the exhaust gases in the central portion (14) flows into the receptacle (28, 50).

2. Catalytic converter (8) according to claim 1, wherein the end portion is an upstream end portion (12) integral with the central portion and intended to be connected to the internal combustion engine (4) of the vehicle (2) so that the exhaust gases flow into the central portion (14) through the upstream end portion (12).

3. Catalytic converter (8) according to claim 1, wherein the end portion is a downstream end portion (16) integral with the central portion (14) such that the exhaust gases escape from the central portion (14) through the downstream end portion (16).

4. Catalytic converter (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the end portion (12, 16) comprises an exhaust gas discharge duct (18, 20) connected to the central portion (14), a first longitudinal wall (38, 54) of the receptacle (28, 50) conforming to the discharge duct (18, 20).

5. Catalytic converter (8) according to claim 4, wherein the first longitudinal wall (38, 54) of the receptacle (28, 50) is formed by the conduit (18, 20).

6. Catalytic converter (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the central portion (14) is cylindrical, the receptacle (28, 50) comprising a second longitudinal wall (40, 56) extending a part of the lateral surface (42) of the cylindrical central portion (14).

7. Exhaust gas treatment system (6) for motor vehicle (2) comprising a catalytic converter (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and an exhaust gas composition sensor (10, 46) disposed in the opening (24, 44) for analyzing at least one component of the exhaust gas.

8. Processing system (6) according to claim 7, wherein the sensor (10) analyzes an oxygen level.

9. Motor vehicle (2) comprising a heat engine (4) characterized in that it comprises an exhaust gas treatment system (6) according to any one of claims 7 or 8.

10. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 9, in which the catalytic converter (8) is arranged in the vehicle (2) such that the minimum distance between a contact plane (32) and the receptacle (28, 50) is less than the minimum distance between the contact plane (32) and the opening (24, 44), the contact plane (32) passing through the contact surfaces of the wheels (34) of the vehicle (2) with a roadway (36) on which the vehicle (2) travels.

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