Integrated Urea Sender Unit with Electrovalve and Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urea conditioning circuits for vehicles are bulky, expensive, and require extensive wiring and piping due to the presence of brackets, wiring, and connection pipes, necessitating a more compact and economical solution.
Innovation Solution
A urea sender unit with an integrated electrovalve and reduced piping, featuring a heat exchange pipe and a compact design that includes a damper and sensor means, allowing direct signal processing and control without needing a vehicle control unit, and separate housings for the electrovalve and control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a traditional electrovalve with bracket, wiring, and connection pipes is used, then the urea conditioning function is achieved, but the device occupies excessive space and increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the electrovalve directly into the sender unit housing, merging previously separate components (electrovalve, sender unit, bracket, wiring, and piping) into a single integrated assembly. This eliminates the need for external brackets, dedicated wiring, and connection pipes, thereby reducing the space occupied by the conditioning circuit and simplifying the overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sender unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the sender unit for urea withdrawal and as the housing for the electrovalve. The integrated design allows the same component structure to fulfill multiple roles, reducing the need for additional dedicated components and thereby reducing overall system complexity and space requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional wiring and connection pipes are used, then the electrovalve is properly connected and controlled, but the system becomes expensive and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The electrovalve is integrated directly into the sender unit housing, eliminating the need for separate connection pipes and extensive wiring. This merging of components reduces the bill of materials, simplifies assembly procedures, and lowers manufacturing costs while simultaneously reducing the space required for the conditioning circuit.
3Area of stationary object
If the electrovalve is integrated into the sender unit, then space and cost are reduced, but vibration control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a damper within the sender unit housing, positioned to provide vibration isolation for the integrated electrovalve. This beforehand cushioning approach anticipates the vibration problem that arises from integration and pre-provides a solution through the damper, protecting the electrovalve from harmful vibrations while maintaining the space-saving integrated design.
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 solution results in a smaller, cost-effective urea conditioning circuit with reduced space requirements, easier maintenance, and improved vibration dampening, while maintaining efficient urea solution conditioning.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange pipe (3), which is part of a urea conditioning circuit (100), which axially extends under the head (2)
Implementation Method 2
improved vibration dampening
Data Source
AI summary
Sender unit for conveying a solution of urea into a vehicle, comprising an upper portion configured to be inserted in an opening of a tank for the urea solution; the upper portion defines a first and a second orifice adapted to be connected to an inlet pipe and to an outlet pipe forming part of a conditioning circuit; the sender unit further comprises:a heat exchange pipe connected to the first and to the second orifice and adapted to be at least partially immersed in the urea solution,sensor means for detecting a temperature of the urea solution, andan electrical interface unit connected to the sensor means,the electro valve being a three-way two-position valve configured to provide a flow rate of urea solution in a range between 0 and 600 l/h with a pressure drop that varies between 0 and 300 mbar.