Exhaust Mixing Section Reactant Collection Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exhaust system mixing sections for combustion engines face challenges in efficiently mixing exhaust gas and injected reaction agents while minimizing installation space and avoiding mutual shielding of reaction resources.

Innovation Solution

A mixed section design for the exhaust system of a combustion engine, featuring a housing with a mixed chamber, reaction levy unit, and reaction resources arranged to maximize surface area contact with the injected reaction agent, ensuring efficient wetting and mixing with exhaust gas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple reactant collecting elements are arranged in the mixing chamber, then the mixing efficiency of exhaust gas and reactant is improved, but mutual shielding occurs between the collecting elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidmutual shielding
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reactant collecting arrangement is segmented into multiple discrete collecting elements (first, second, and third collecting elements) positioned at different locations in the mixing chamber. Each element has its own collecting surface oriented to face the reactant discharge unit, allowing independent reactant collection without mutual interference. This segmentation enables comprehensive coverage of the mixing chamber while preventing shielding effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reactant collecting elements are arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations within the mixing chamber. The collecting surfaces are positioned at various angles and locations (some facing the discharge unit directly, others positioned downstream), utilizing three-dimensional space effectively. This dimensional arrangement ensures that reactant spray can reach all collecting surfaces without being blocked by other elements.

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

2Productivity

If the reactant collecting surfaces are made large to increase evaporation area, then the mixing efficiency is improved, but the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple reactant collecting elements are distributed throughout the three-dimensional mixing chamber volume rather than concentrating all collecting surfaces in one location. This spatial distribution provides large total collecting area while maintaining a compact overall structure that fits within limited installation space in the exhaust system.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The total reactant collection function is divided into multiple smaller collecting elements positioned at different locations. Each element has a moderate-sized collecting surface, and their combined area provides sufficient evaporation surface without requiring any single element to be overly large, thus maintaining compact installation dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If the reactant collecting elements are positioned close to each other to save space, then the installation space is reduced, but mutual shielding of reactant collection surfaces occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidmutual shielding
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reactant collecting elements are positioned at different spatial locations and orientations within the mixing chamber, utilizing three-dimensional arrangement rather than simple close proximity in one plane. This spatial distribution minimizes mutual shielding while maintaining compact overall dimensions, as each element is positioned where it can be effectively wetted by the reactant spray without blocking other elements.

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

4Productivity

If the reactant collecting surfaces are oriented orthogonal to the main discharge direction for efficient wetting, then the wetting efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewetting efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each reactant collecting element is positioned and oriented according to its specific location in the mixing chamber relative to the reactant discharge unit. The collecting surfaces are oriented to face the discharge unit or are positioned downstream, with each element having optimal orientation for its local position. This localized optimization achieves efficient wetting across all elements without requiring a complex overall structure, as each simple element is individually positioned for maximum effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design achieves an efficient mixture of exhaust gas and reaction agents with low installation space requirements, preventing mutual shielding and ensuring effective interaction with the exhaust gas flow for enhanced pollutant reduction.

Implementation Method 1

By wetting the reactant collecting elements arranged in the mixing chamber with the reactant injected into the mixing chamber, a comparatively large surface is used to evaporate the reactant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

to mix it with the exhaust gas swirled in the mixing chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing:

Data Source

PatentEP4390068B1Mixing section for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 PUREM GMBH
  • EP4390068B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4390068B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4390068B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A mixing section for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine for mixing exhaust gas and reaction agent (R) comprises a mixing section housing (22) surrounding a mixing chamber with a housing base (28), wherein at least one exhaust gas inlet opening (341', 342) is provided in the housing base (28) for the entry of exhaust gas into the mixing chamber, a reaction agent dispensing unit (18) for dispensing reaction agent into the mixing chamber substantially in a main dispensing direction (H), a reaction agent collection arrangement (42) for collecting reaction agent dispensed into the mixing chamber, wherein the reaction agent collection arrangement (42) comprises a plurality of reaction agent collection elements (441, 442, 443) arranged successively in the main dispensing direction (H), each reaction agent collection element (441, 442, 443) having a reaction agent collection surface positioned towards the reaction agent dispensing unit.