Modular Reductant Metering System for Compact SCR Applications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reducing agent dosing systems for selective catalytic reduction in internal combustion engines are complex and require significant installation space, limiting their use in motor vehicles where space is a critical factor.

Innovation Solution

A modular reducing agent dosing system comprising two integrated structural units: a dosing unit with a feed pump, suction, pressure connections, and compressed air supply, and a compressed air unit with a controlled valve, allowing for flexible placement and omission of a mixing chamber, thus optimizing space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional reducing agent dosing system with mixing chamber is used, then effective aerosol formation is achieved, but the installation space requirement increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol formation effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing chamber is extracted and removed from the system. Instead of forming aerosol in a separate mixing chamber, the reducing agent is atomized directly at the injection nozzle using compressed air, eliminating the need for a mixing chamber and reducing installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The aerosol formation function is merged with the injection nozzle. The atomization process is integrated directly at the nozzle where the reducing agent is injected, combining the functions of injection and aerosol formation in a single component location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a conventional reducing agent dosing system with mixing chamber is used, then effective aerosol formation is achieved, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol formation effectivenessVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing chamber is extracted and removed from the system. Instead of forming aerosol in a separate mixing chamber, the reducing agent is atomized directly at the injection nozzle using compressed air, eliminating the need for a mixing chamber and reducing installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The aerosol formation function is merged with the injection nozzle. The atomization process is integrated directly at the nozzle where the reducing agent is injected, combining the functions of injection and aerosol formation in a single component location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If a modular design with integrated units is used, then installation space is reduced and assembly is simplified, but the system requires precise coordination of multiple units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidsystem coordination requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing system is segmented into modular integrated units that can be installed separately. The feed pump unit and injection unit are separate modules that can be assembled and installed independently, reducing installation space and simplifying assembly while maintaining system functionality.

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

The modular design reduces installation space requirements, simplifies assembly, and eliminates the need for a mixing chamber, enhancing the system's compactness and operational efficiency while maintaining effective aerosol formation and reducing nitrogen oxide emissions.

Implementation Method 1

with a feed pump by means of which reducing agent is drawn from a reducing agent tank via a suction connection and conveyed via a pressure connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

the reducing agent is atomized by means of compressed air outside the nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAtomization:

Implementation Method 3

the second integrated unit is designed as a compressed air unit and has at least one controlled valve for regulating the compressed air supply

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectValve: Valve

Implementation Method 4

the reducing agent metering system has a modular design consisting of at least two integrated components, wherein the first integrated component is designed as a dosing unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectModular design:

Data Source

PatentEP3332104B1Reductant-metering system having a modular structure
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 ALBONAIR GMBH
  • EP3332104B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3332104B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3332104B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a reductant-metering system (10) for injecting a reductant into the exhaust-gas flow of an internal combustion engine for selective catalytic reduction, comprising a conveying pump, by means of which reductant from a reductant tank (40) is suctioned from the tank (40) via a suction connection piece (23) and conveyed via a pressure connection piece (50) and introduced into the exhaust-gas flow of the internal combustion engine via at least one nozzle (60), wherein the metering system (10) has a compressed-air supply and the reductant is atomized by means of compressed air outside of the nozzle (60), wherein the reductant-metering system (10) has a modular structure consisting of at least two integrated assemblies (20, 30), wherein the first integrated assembly is designed as a metering unit (20) and has at least the pump, the suction connection piece, the pressure connection piece, and a compressed-air connection and wherein the second integrated assembly is designed as a compressed-air unit (30) and has at least one controlled valve for controlling the compressed-air supply.