Asymmetrical Exhaust Gas Mixer for Enhanced Reactant Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixers for internal combustion engines fail to achieve efficient mixing of exhaust gas and reactant, particularly due to symmetrical designs that limit turbulence and mixing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An asymmetrical mixer design with a reactant receiving duct and dispensing channel, where the dispensing channel is not symmetrically aligned with the reactant receiving channel, forming an acute angle between their longitudinal axes to enhance turbulence and mixing, along with multiple exhaust gas inlet openings and strategically placed outlet openings to facilitate efficient mixing and discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a symmetrical design is used for the mixer channels, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the mixing efficiency is reduced due to limited turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the dispensing channel to connect to the reactant receiving channel at an acute angle (30°-70°) rather than symmetrically. This asymmetrical configuration creates stronger turbulence and eddy currents in the transition area, significantly improving mixing efficiency between exhaust gas and reactant while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard sheet metal forming processes
2Productivity
If the angle between reactant receiving channel and discharge channel is small (30°-70°), then mixing efficiency is improved through increased turbulence, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the angular parameter between the reactant receiving channel and discharge channel to be within 30°-70°. This specific parameter range creates optimal turbulence for mixing while avoiding excessive structural complexity. The acute angle design generates strong eddy currents and flow mixing in the transition area without requiring additional complex components
3Productivity
If multiple exhaust gas inlet openings are used, then the mixing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the exhaust gas inlet into multiple separate openings distributed along the reactant receiving channel. This segmentation allows exhaust gas to enter at multiple locations, creating numerous mixing zones throughout the channel and significantly improving overall mixing efficiency. The multiple inlet openings are integrated into the sheet metal structure without requiring additional complex 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
The asymmetrical design and strategic placement of inlet and outlet openings lead to improved mixing of exhaust gas and reactant, resulting in enhanced turbulence and efficient discharge of the mixture, improving the overall mixing efficiency within the exhaust gas duct.
Implementation Method 1
A deflection of more than 90° is thus forced in the transition area, which leads to comparatively strong turbulence and thus efficient mixing of the exhaust gas with the reactant
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A mixer for mixing exhaust gas (A) flowing in an exhaust gas channel of an internal combustion engine with reaction agent (R) injected into the exhaust gas channel, comprising a mixer body (26) with a reaction agent receiving channel (32) and a discharge arrangement (36) with a discharge channel (34) adjoining and leading away from the reaction agent receiving channel (32) in a transition area (42), is characterized in that the discharge arrangement (36) is not symmetrical with respect to a reaction agent receiving channel longitudinal axis (LR).