Injection device and electric heating device for a corresponding injection device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel injection devices for internal combustion engines lack a simple and effective method for temperature control of injected media, particularly in varying environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

An injection device with an electrical heating system, featuring a layered heating block with PTC elements and heat-emitting layers, is integrated within the fresh air supply hose, allowing for efficient temperature control of the air and fuel before injection, while being lightweight, vibration-proof, and utilizing the vehicle's on-board electrical system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a PTC heating device is integrated within the fresh air supply hose, then temperature control of injected media is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control of injected mediaVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device is integrated directly into the fresh air supply hose, merging the heating function with the existing air supply structure. This eliminates the need for separate heating components and reduces overall system complexity while achieving effective temperature control of the injected media.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fresh air supply hose serves dual functions: transporting fresh air to the injection system and providing thermal insulation for the PTC heating element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall system design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the electric heating device is spaced from the engine, then vibration protection and lightweight design are improved, but heat transfer efficiency may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration protectionVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The fresh air supply hose acts as an intermediary medium, allowing the heating device to be positioned away from the engine for vibration protection while still effectively heating the media that will be injected. The hose transmits the thermal energy from the heating element to the injection point without requiring direct contact with the engine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If a layered heating block with multiple layers is used, then heat distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heating block is divided into multiple layers with alternating heating and insulating materials. This segmentation allows for improved heat distribution across the media flow while maintaining a modular structure that can be manufactured using standard layering techniques, balancing performance with manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables precise temperature control of the injected media, improving engine performance and efficiency by ensuring optimal fuel and air conditions, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.

Implementation Method 1

the electric heating device has a layered heating block comprising at least one heat-generating layer with at least one PTC element and conductor elements adjacent to it on both sides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The layered structure has at least one heat-dissipating layer. This heat-dissipating layer is typically a corrugated fin layer formed by meandering a highly heat-conductive sheet metal strip, such as aluminum or copper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The heating block is preferably held preloaded therein by a spring, so that the different layers of the layered heating block are placed against one another under preload, thereby improving heat extraction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4343139A1Injection device and electric heating device for a corresponding injection device
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 EBERSPACHER CATEM GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4343139A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4343139A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4343139A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of fuel conditioning in an internal combustion engine (2) which has a spray nozzle (16) for fuel to be injected (22) which is connected to a pump (18) for injecting the fuel (22) and to a fresh air supply (4) to the internal combustion engine (2).To create an injection device that allows temperature control of the injected media with a simple design and arrangement in the motor vehicle, the injection device has an electric heating device (14) for heating the supplied fresh air, which is fluidically connected via a first hose section (10) to the inlet side of the fresh air supply (4) and via a second hose section (12) to the internal combustion engine (2) and which has a layered heating block (54) comprising at least one heat-emitting layer (56) and at least one heat-generating layer thermally coupled to it with at least one PTC element (60) and conductor elements (62) on both sides thereof.