Fluid Storage Filter Housing for Reducing Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid storage devices for reducing agents in vehicles face challenges with filter design, as they are sensitive to dirt and freezing, limiting their use to passenger cars due to size constraints and inability to handle high flow rates, and are prone to damage from thawing and refreezing cycles, which can lead to uncontrolled cracking and component failure.
Innovation Solution
A fluid storage device design featuring a small, ice-pressure-resistant filter positioned within a housing in the fluid tank, combined with a dirt trap that includes a filter chamber and a feed opening spaced from the tank's floor, utilizing a funnel-shaped feed connector and baffle elements to settle dirt particles before they reach the filter, and a heater to prevent freezing, allowing for effective filtration and flow rate increase while minimizing contamination and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the filter is designed with a large surface area to reduce pressure loss, then filtration efficiency is improved, but the filter becomes vulnerable to ice pressure damage during freezing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple segments or layers, allowing each segment to be smaller and more resistant to ice pressure while collectively providing sufficient filtration surface area. The housing is also segmented with separate zones for fluid intake, filtration, and dirt accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the filter have different properties - the outer layers or perimeter regions are designed with higher structural strength to resist ice pressure, while the central or inner regions provide the necessary filtration surface area. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both strength and filtration efficiency.
2Strength
If the filter is designed to be small and compact to resist ice pressure, then freezing resistance is improved, but the flow rate capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing incorporates a vertical dimension with multiple levels or stages of filtration. Fluid flows through the filter in a multi-stage process, allowing sufficient filtration capacity and flow rate handling without requiring a large horizontal footprint that would increase vulnerability to ice pressure.
3Ease of operation
If the filter is positioned in the sump area to utilize gravity for fluid flow, then fluid intake is improved, but the filter becomes exposed to accumulated dirt particles
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing is extracted or separated from the sump area where dirt accumulates. Instead of placing the filter directly in the sump, the housing is positioned to receive fluid from the sump through controlled openings, keeping the filter element itself away from the concentrated dirt particles while still utilizing gravitational flow.
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid is pre-treated or pre-filtered before reaching the main filter element. The housing includes preliminary filtration features or directs fluid through a path that allows heavier dirt particles to settle or be removed before the fluid reaches the sensitive filter media, reducing contamination exposure.
4Productivity
If the feed opening is positioned close to the tank floor for efficient fluid collection, then fluid intake is improved, but dirt particles are more likely to enter the filter
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary structure or feature is introduced at the feed opening - such as a screened inlet, a settling chamber, or a flow distributor - that allows efficient fluid collection from the tank floor area while blocking or filtering out dirt particles before they can enter the filter housing.
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
Enables the use of fluid storage devices for larger engines by maintaining filter integrity and preventing dirt contamination, even at low fluid levels and during sloshing movements, while controlling freezing and ensuring efficient filtration of dirt particles, thus preventing filter damage and maintaining system functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a heater to prevent freezing
Implementation Method 2
baffle elements to settle dirt particles before they reach the filter
Implementation Method 3
a filter for filtering a fluid that can be stored in the fluid tank
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid storage device (1) for storing a fluid (3), in particular a reducing agent, having a fluid tank (2) and a filter (5) for filtering a fluid (3) that can be stored in the fluid tank (2). According to the invention, the filter (5) is provided in an interior (14) of a housing (13) disposed in the fluid tank (2), and the housing (13) comprises at least one inlet opening (16) for feeding fluid (3) from the fluid tank (2) into the interior (14), wherein the inlet opening (16) is disposed in the fluid tank (2) at a distance from the bottom.