Plastic Reducing Agent Tank With Integrated Labyrinth Fluid Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reducing agent tanks for motor vehicles, particularly those used in commercial vehicles, face inefficiencies in heating due to the low thermal conductivity of plastic materials, which limits the heating capacity and effectiveness in supplying reducing agents for exhaust gas cleaning systems.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a molded fluid channel within the tank segment, made from plastic material enhanced with additives such as boron nitride to increase thermal conductivity, allowing for efficient heat transfer and distribution across the tank segment, combined with a labyrinthine fluid channel design for maximum surface utilization and effective heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic material is used for the tank segment, then ease of manufacture and cost are improved, but thermal conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by integrating a fluid channel made of thermally conductive material (such as metal) within the plastic tank segment. This composite structure combines the manufacturing advantages of plastic with the thermal conductivity of metal, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and thermal conductivity.
2Device complexity
If integrated fluid channel is molded into the tank segment, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tank segment and fluid channel into a single integrated component through molding processes. This combining reduces device complexity by eliminating separate parts and assemblies, while the molding technology enables precise integration of the fluid channel within the tank segment.
3Area of stationary object
If labyrinthine fluid channel design is used, then heating surface area is increased, but fluid flow path length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a labyrinthine fluid channel design that utilizes three-dimensional space within the tank segment. By routing the fluid channel through multiple levels and dimensions rather than simple linear paths, the design maximizes heating surface area while managing the fluid flow path length through spatial optimization.
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
Enhances the heating capacity of the reducing agent tank, ensuring efficient supply of heated reducing agents to the exhaust gas cleaning system, improving the overall performance and efficiency of the tank's heating mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a molded fluid channel for guiding a fluid for heating, especially for heating, the reducing agent
Implementation Method 2
plastic material enhanced with additives such as boron nitride to increase thermal conductivity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a reducing agent tank (T) for a reducing agent, in particular a urea tank. The reducing agent tank (T) comprises a housing (1) for receiving the reducing agent, a tank segment (3), and preferably a conveying module (2) for conveying the reducing agent, wherein the tank segment (3) preferably has at least one integrated fluid channel (3.1) for guiding a fluid to heat the reducing agent, in particular such that the tank segment (3) itself forms the fluid channel (3.1). The reducing agent tank (T) is characterized in particular by a tank element (4) made of plastic material, wherein the plastic material is additively modified with at least one additive material to increase its thermal conductivity.