Embedded Heating Device in Tank Base for Urea Solution

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tank systems for reducing agents, such as urea solutions used in vehicles, face challenges with freezing temperatures, leading to complex and stress-prone heat conducting structures that complicate the distribution of heat and increase the risk of ice pressure, making it difficult to ensure a reliable liquid reducing agent supply.

Innovation Solution

The tank system incorporates a heating device with heat conducting structures disposed within the lower vessel wall, eliminating the need for complex fastenings and protecting the heating elements from ice pressure, allowing for efficient heat distribution and minimizing the number of heating elements required, while also using a support for additional components like sensors and a conveying device with a flange for efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heat conducting structures are disposed on the vessel wall, then heat distribution is improved, but the structure becomes complex and is stressed by ice pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat distributionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device is moved from a surface-mounted configuration on the vessel wall to an embedded configuration within the lower vessel wall itself. This dimensional change allows the heating elements to be integrated into the wall structure, eliminating the need for separate fastening systems and protecting them from external ice pressure while maintaining effective heat distribution to the urea solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating device is merged with the vessel wall structure by embedding it directly into the lower vessel wall. This integration combines the functions of the vessel wall (containment) and the heating device (thermal management) into a single unified structure, eliminating the need for separate mounting systems and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If heat conducting structures are disposed on the vessel wall, then heating effectiveness is improved, but fastening complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating effectivenessVSAvoidfastening complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device is merged with the vessel wall structure by embedding it directly into the lower vessel wall. This integration combines the functions of the vessel wall (containment) and the heating device (thermal management) into a single unified structure, eliminating the need for separate mounting systems and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If heating elements are exposed to frozen urea solution, then heating coverage is maximized, but the heating device is stressed by ice pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating coverageVSAvoidice pressure resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device is moved from a surface-mounted configuration on the vessel wall to an embedded configuration within the lower vessel wall itself. This dimensional change allows the heating elements to be integrated into the wall structure, eliminating the need for separate fastening systems and protecting them from external ice pressure while maintaining effective heat distribution to the urea solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The vessel wall structure serves as a protective barrier that cushions the heating device against ice pressure before the pressure can reach the heating elements. By embedding the heating device within the wall rather than mounting it on the outer surface, the structure provides advance protection against the harmful effects of freezing urea solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 ensures a reliable liquid reducing agent supply under all conditions, reduces installation space, and allows for complete vessel emptying with a low suction point, enabling a larger utilizable volume and cost-effective delimitation of the outer volume.

Implementation Method 1

The disposal in the lower vessel wall furthermore causes a heating of the urea solution in this region such that liquid reducing agent is provided in the lower region of the vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

parts of the heating device that are disposed in the base of the vessel are heat conducting structures. The disposal of heat conducting structures enables a heat transmission in a simple manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10634033B2Tank system for a reducing agent

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH

AI summary

A tank system for a reducing agent includes: a vessel configured to store the reducing agent, the vessel having: an upper vessel wall, lateral vessel walls, and a lower vessel wall configured to form a base of the vessel; and a heating device disposed in the vessel. At least parts of the heating device are disposed in a part of the base of the lower vessel wall of the vessel.