Heating device for installation in a vehicle tank for reducing agent and vehicle tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating devices for vehicle tanks storing reducing agents like AdBlue® face inefficiencies in heat distribution, leading to uncontrolled heat release and reduced heat output when the reducing agent level is low, causing the PTC heating element to switch off temporarily or completely.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heat conduction device with a second material of higher thermal conductivity than the heat distribution body, along with thermal insulation layers and elements, to distribute heat uniformly and maintain a consistent heat output, ensuring efficient heating of the reducing agent regardless of the tank's fill level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a PTC heating element is used in a vehicle tank for reducing agent, then the heating element provides high heat output at low temperatures, but the heat distribution is uncontrolled and the heating element switches off when the reducing agent level is low
Solution Approach 1:
A heat distribution body made of aluminum or aluminum alloy is introduced as an intermediary between the PTC heating element and the reducing agent. This heat distribution body has a larger surface area than the heating element, enabling controlled and uniform heat distribution across the reducing agent volume, preventing localized overheating that causes the PTC element to switch off
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system transitions from a point-source heating approach to a surface-based heating approach. The heat distribution body extends the heating surface area significantly beyond the heating element surface area, distributing heat across multiple dimensions within the tank, which maintains reliable heating even when reducing agent levels are low
2Device complexity
If the heat distribution body is made from a single material, then the structure is simple, but the heat distribution uniformity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heat distribution body is constructed from aluminum or aluminum alloy materials that provide optimal thermal conductivity and heat distribution characteristics. The use of aluminum-based composite materials enables superior heat distribution uniformity compared to single-material structures, while maintaining structural integrity and thermal efficiency
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 ensures reliable and rapid heating of the reducing agent with a uniform heat output, reducing the risk of the PTC heating element switching off due to excessive temperature and maintaining efficient heating across varying fill levels.
Implementation Method 1
The PTC heating element thus has a low electrical resistance at low temperatures, which multiplies exponentially when a defined switching temperature is exceeded. This property means that the PTC heating element is self-regulating: at low temperatures, a high current flows and the PTC heating element heats up rapidly and has a high heat output.
Implementation Method 2
Such a thermistor, also referred to as a PTC thermistor, converts electrical current into heat and has a dependence of the electrical resistance on the temperature.
Implementation Method 3
The heat distribution body here is formed from a first material which has a first thermal conductivity, wherein the heat distribution body is configured to transport and release heat generated by the PTC heating element.
Implementation Method 4
a heat conduction device is arranged on and/or in the heat distribution body, which is formed from a second material which has a second thermal conductivity different from the first thermal conductivity, wherein the heat conduction device is designed to distribute heat from the PTC heating element in a targeted manner within the heat distribution body.
Implementation Method 5
the heating device ensuring that the reducing agent is heated as reliably and rapidly as possible with a heat output which is as uniform as possible
Data Source
AI summary
A heating device for installation in a vehicle tank for reducing agent, which is introduced into an exhaust tract of a motor vehicle for exhaust gas aftertreatment. The heating device includes at least one electrical heating element and a heat distribution body, wherein the at least one electrical heating element includes a PTC heating element, and wherein the PTC heating element is arranged in thermally conductive contact with the heat distribution body. According to the invention, the heat distribution body has a heat conduction device which is designed to distribute heat from the PTC heating element in a targeted manner within the heat distribution body. The invention also specifies a vehicle tank with such a heating device.