Heatable Hose Pipe Module for Exhaust Aftertreatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for preventing the freezing of aqueous urea solutions in exhaust gas aftertreatment systems for internal combustion engines, such as electrically heated hoses and heating with diesel fuel, are either complex or require significant electrical power, which may not be available in all applications.
Innovation Solution
A device using temperature-controlled cooling water from the engine's circuit to heat the hose lines carrying the urea solution, with an extruded profile design that maximizes heat transfer and flexibility, allowing for efficient heating without the need for electrical power, and using rubber or plastic hose lines that can expand to accommodate freezing volume changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrically heated hoses are used to prevent freezing of aqueous urea solution, then the freezing protection is reliable, but the electrical power consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces heating water as an intermediary substance to transfer thermal energy from the engine cooling system to the urea solution. Instead of direct electrical heating, the heating water circulates through hoses in thermal contact with the urea solution, acting as a heat transfer medium that prevents freezing without requiring electrical power at the hose level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the engine's own cooling water circuit to provide heating functionality. The cooling water, which would otherwise be wasted, is redirected through the urea solution hoses to provide heat, allowing the system to self-regulate temperature using resources already present in the vehicle.
2Reliability
If diesel fuel is used to heat the reducing agent line, then freezing protection is achieved, but the device structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heating water circuit serves multiple functions: it cools the engine and simultaneously heats the urea solution to prevent freezing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heating systems or complex routing arrangements, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliable freezing protection.
3Stability of the object's composition
If hose lines are made rigid to maintain structural stability, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility and ease of routing decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible hoses with integrated heating water channels to route the urea solution. These flexible conduits can be routed around obstacles and adapted to various installation spaces while maintaining structural integrity. The flexibility allows for easy installation and adaptation to different vehicle configurations without compromising the heating functionality.
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 solution effectively prevents freezing with reduced complexity and electrical power requirements, ensuring reliable operation by maximizing heat transfer and minimizing installation space, while allowing for flexible routing and reduced risk of hose line buckling.
Implementation Method 1
The heating water heats the hose line carrying it, which, due to its close proximity arrangement, transfers the thermal energy to the hose line carrying the urea solution.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A device for the exhaust aftertreatment of an internal combustion engine by introducing a liquid reducing agent into the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine has heatable reducing agent lines. A heat-emitting hose (7; 9) carrying heating water is arranged in pairs in close proximity to each reducing agent line, dissipating heat.