Adjustable Support Structure for After-Treatment Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support structures for after-treatment components like diesel particulate filters (DPF) in engines are limited in adjustability, leading to potential mismatches and increased manufacturing costs due to stringent machining tolerances, and fail to accommodate thermal expansion, which can cause stress and damage.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable support structure featuring a housing wall, plates, and brackets with legs that allow for relative movement and bending to accommodate thermal expansion, enabling alignment and stress reduction without the need for tight machining tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If tightly controlled machining tolerances are maintained on mating parts, then alignment of DPF and support structures is ensured, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates adjustable elements including elongated slots in mounting plates and movable brackets with adjustment mechanisms. These dynamic features allow the support structure to adapt to variations in DPF dimensions without requiring tight machining tolerances, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining proper alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows for parameter changes in the positioning of support structure components relative to the DPF. The adjustable mounting plates and brackets can be positioned at different locations and orientations to accommodate variations in DPF mating surfaces, eliminating the need for stringent machining tolerances.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid support structures are used to ensure stable positioning, then alignment is maintained, but thermal expansion stresses cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure uses adjustable and movable components that can dynamically respond to thermal expansion. The elongated slots and adjustment mechanisms allow the structure to move and adapt as the DPF expands thermally, maintaining stable positioning without generating damaging stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plates and brackets incorporate flexible or movable elements that can deform or adjust their position to accommodate thermal expansion of the DPF, preventing stress concentration and potential damage while maintaining structural integrity.
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
The adjustable support structure ensures proper alignment of after-treatment components, reduces thermally induced stresses, and lowers manufacturing costs by allowing for interchangeable DPFs and reduced machining precision.
Implementation Method 1
the adjustable support structure allows for thermal expansion of the components. For example, an increase from an ambient temperature to an operating temperature may cause thermal expansion of the exhaust gas treatment apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable support structure for an after-treatment component is disclosed. The adjustable support structure may have a housing wall. The adjustable support structure may also have a plate. The plate may have a base edge fixedly connected to the housing wall. The plate may also have a distal edge. The adjustable support structure may also have a bracket connected to the plate at the distal edge. The bracket may be configured to engage the after-treatment component. The adjustable support structure may also have first and second legs extending from the bracket toward the housing wall. The first and second legs may be spaced apart from each other to receive the distal edge of the plate therebetween.