Additive Supply Connector with Pressure Accumulation for Freezing Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive supply devices for internal combustion engines face damage due to additive freezing and expansion in the pipes and valves when the engine is stopped, leading to structural issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pressure accumulation portion in the connector to compress air, which expands and pushes the additive back into the tank, creating space for the additive to expand without damaging the pipes and valves, and using a check or three-way valve for efficient return passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump stops pumping additive when the engine is stopped, then the additive remaining in the pipe and addition valve freezes and expands, but this causes damage to the addition valve and pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressure accumulation portion that pre-stores compressed air before the freezing event occurs. When the pump stops and additive begins to freeze, the pre-stored compressed air immediately expands to counteract the freezing expansion, preventing damage to the addition valve and pipe. This preliminary preparation of protective force resolves the contradiction by having the protective mechanism ready before the harmful freezing process begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure accumulation portion acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs and compensates for the harmful expansion forces before they can cause damage. By storing compressed air in advance and allowing it to expand when needed, the system creates a protective buffer that cushions against the damaging effects of freezing additive, thereby maintaining system integrity without requiring structural changes to the valve or pipe.
2Reliability
If a pressure accumulation portion is added to the connector, then damage from additive expansion is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure accumulation portion is nested within the existing connector structure rather than being a separate external component. By integrating the air accumulation function into the connector itself, the patent adds the necessary protective capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity. The compressed air is stored within the existing connector volume, utilizing unused space rather than requiring additional external components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents damage to the addition valve and pipe by allowing the additive to expand without causing structural harm, ensuring the system's integrity during temperature drops.
Implementation Method 1
accumulated compressed air expands to a volume equal to or larger than the volume upon freezing and expansion of the additive present inside the addition valve and the pipe
Implementation Method 2
the additive remaining inside the pipe and the addition valve freezes and expands due to a temperature drop etc.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~3
AI summary
An additive supply device includes: an addition valve (2) that injects urea water into an exhaust passage (1) of an internal combustion engine; a pipe (4); and a pump (6), a tank (5) and a pipe (4). The connector (3) is provided so that an inner upper end of the connector (3) is located at a position higher than the position of the connection port (2a) when the addition valve (2) is connected to the connector (3). A pressure accumulation portion (10) in which compressed air that, when the pumping of the urea water by the pump (6) is stopped, expands to a volume equal to or larger than the volume upon freezing and expansion of the urea water remaining inside the addition valve (2) and the pipe (4) is accumulated is provided in an upper part inside the connector (3), at a position higher than the position of the connection port (2a).