Fluid Connector with Metal Insert for Reductant Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
SCR systems for internal combustion engines face issues with reductant freezing in cold ambient environments due to inadequate heat transfer at connection points between feed lines and components, leading to delayed thawing and emissions impacts during engine warm-up.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connector with a plastic body and a metal insert that enhances thermal conductivity, connecting reductant lines to dosing modules, where the metal insert extends into the dosing module's chamber to efficiently conduct heat from actively heated reductant lines to the reductant in the chamber, preventing freezing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating is applied to reductant storage tank and feed lines, then reductant freezing is prevented, but connection areas (inlet chamber of injector/dosing module) do not receive sufficient heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by extending the heating element from the feed line into the inlet chamber of the dosing module or injector. This creates a localized heat source at the connection area where it is most needed, rather than relying on general heating of the storage tank and feed lines. The heating element is positioned to directly contact or proximity-heat the reductant in the inlet chamber, ensuring adequate temperature in this critical zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the feed line as an intermediary heat transfer medium. The heating element heats the reductant in the feed line, and this heated reductant then acts as a heat carrier to transfer thermal energy to the inlet chamber of the dosing module or injector through direct contact or thermal conduction. This intermediary approach allows heat to be efficiently transferred to the connection area.
2Device complexity
If conventional feed line connections are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but heat transfer to dosing module is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function with the feed line connection structure. Instead of having separate heating elements and connection components, the heating element is integrated into or extends from the feed line itself, combining thermal management and fluid delivery functions in a single integrated component. This reduces overall system complexity while improving heating effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed line serves multiple functions: it acts as both a fluid transport conduit and a heat transfer medium. The heating element integrated into the feed line allows the same component to perform both fluid delivery and thermal management functions, eliminating the need for separate heating apparatus and simplifying the overall system architecture.
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 fluid connector effectively prevents reductant freezing by ensuring rapid heat transfer from the reductant lines to the dosing module, reducing delay times and improving emissions control during engine start-up in cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the metal insert extends into the dosing module's chamber to efficiently conduct heat from actively heated reductant lines to the reductant in the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A reductant system for an aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The reductant system includes at least one reductant feed line and a reductant system component such as a dosing module. The feed line is connected to the dosing module with a fluid connector. The fluid connector includes a body made from a first material that has a low heat conductivity and an insert made from a second material that has a greater heat conductivity than that of the first material. The insert extends from the body of the fluid connector into a storage chamber of the dosing module, and conducts heat from heated reductant in the feed line to the reductant stored in the storage chamber.