Catalytic Converter Element Box With Selective Side Wall Rails

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Solution Overview

Problem

Catalytic converter apparatuses face challenges in achieving satisfactory flow properties and reducing dust deposits, while conventional designs with flanged edges lead to increased flow resistance and clogging risks due to dead zones and dust deposition.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features element boxes with only one pair of side walls having transverse rails for supporting catalytic converter plates, increasing the free flow cross-sectional area and using 90° and 180° bent-over portions for reinforcement, along with rotated adjacent element boxes to reduce vibrations and improve stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If flanged edges are provided on all side walls to reinforce element boxes and facilitate handling, then mechanical strength and ease of handling are improved, but flow resistance increases and dead zones are created that lead to dust deposition and clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidflow resistance and dust deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes flanged edges from certain side walls of the element box, extracting the harmful feature (flow resistance and dead zones) while retaining flanged edges only where mechanically necessary for reinforcement and handling. This selective removal reduces the overall flow resistance and eliminates unnecessary dead zones that cause dust deposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies flanged edges locally only to specific side walls where mechanical reinforcement and handling are required, rather than uniformly to all side walls. This local application maintains necessary structural strength and handling capability while minimizing the negative impact on exhaust gas flow properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If a large catalytic converter surface area is provided to improve purification efficiency, then catalytic activity is enhanced, but flow resistance increases and dust deposits accumulate more readily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic purification efficiencyVSAvoidflow resistance and dust deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges catalytic converter plates in a stacked configuration within the element box, utilizing the vertical dimension to maximize surface area within the available space. This three-dimensional arrangement increases the effective catalytic surface area while maintaining adequate flow channels between plates, thereby improving purification efficiency without excessively increasing flow resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If element boxes are designed with closed side walls for structural integrity, then mechanical stability is improved, but handling during fitting and overhaul becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidhandling during fitting and overhaul
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the element box structure by providing flanged edges only on specific side walls, creating modular attachment points that facilitate handling and installation. This segmentation allows the element box to be easily positioned and secured during fitting while maintaining structural integrity through the strategic placement of reinforced edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design enhances catalytic purification efficiency, reduces dust deposition, and minimizes flow resistance, leading to improved exhaust gas handling and mechanical stability, while also facilitating easier handling and assembly through a specialized handling tool.

Implementation Method 1

nitrogen oxides are converted to nitrogen and water with the aid of the catalytic converter apparatus in the presence of ammonia in a manner which is known per se

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelective catalytic reduction (SCR): Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP3111070B1Catalytic converter apparatus, element box for a catalytic converter apparatus and a kit of parts
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 JOHNSON MATTHEY CATALYSTS (GERMANY) GMBH
  • EP3111070B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3111070B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3111070B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The catalytic converter apparatus (20) has at least one element box (2) which extends in a longitudinal direction (10) and which has a first pair of first side walls (4) which lie opposite one another, and a second pair of second side walls (6) which lie opposite one another, and two open end sides (8) which lie opposite one another in the longitudinal direction (10). A plurality of catalytic converter plates (16) are arranged in the element box (2), which catalytic converter plates (16) are oriented parallel to the first side walls, merely one part of the side walls (4, 6) having a rail (22) which extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction (10) on at least one of the end sides (8), on which rail (22) the catalytic converter plates (16) are supported. As a result, the flow properties of the element box (2) are improved and the risk of dust deposits is avoided.