Plug-in Plate Heater for Liquid Additive Freezing Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices for providing liquid additives, such as urea-water solutions, face challenges with freezing at low temperatures and require inexpensive and easily maintainable heaters to prevent freezing and ensure effective heat distribution, while also considering the durability of electrical components in aggressive environments.
Innovation Solution
A device design featuring a plug-in plate with an electric heater that extends into a cutout of the assembly main body, utilizing a combination of active and passive heat-distributing elements, including heat pipes and guides for efficient heat transfer, and separate production of hydraulic and electrical components for simplicity and ease of maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heaters are provided to prevent freezing of liquid additive, then the device can operate at low temperatures, but the device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electrical components (heaters, pumps, valves, sensors) onto a single plug-in plate, integrating them into one modular assembly. This merging approach allows the heaters to be provided for freezing prevention while avoiding the complexity of separately arranging and wiring multiple discrete components throughout the device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device into two main parts: a stationary assembly main body and a removable plug-in plate. The electrical components including heaters are mounted on the plug-in plate, which can be easily detached and reattached. This segmentation simplifies the overall device structure and makes maintenance easier while still providing the necessary heating capability.
2Temperature
If heaters are arranged to distribute heat effectively throughout the device, then freezing prevention is improved, but the device becomes more complex and harder to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
By placing all electrical components including heaters on a removable plug-in plate, the system allows easy access to the heating elements for maintenance. The plug-in plate can be detached without disassembling the entire device, making heater replacement or repair simple while still achieving effective heat distribution through strategic heater placement on the plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug-in plate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses multiple electrical components (heaters, pumps, valves, sensors), and acts as a removable maintenance unit. This multi-functionality allows effective heat distribution through integrated heater arrangements while maintaining ease of repair through unified removable access.
3Ease of repair
If electrical components are made exchangeable for maintenance purposes, then ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a stationary assembly main body and a removable plug-in plate containing all electrical components. This segmentation provides exchangeability for maintenance while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple through standardized connection interfaces between the main body and plug-in plate.
Solution Approach 2:
All electrical components are pre-assembled on the plug-in plate during manufacturing, with heaters and other components positioned and connected before the plate is attached to the main body. This preliminary assembly simplifies the final device structure while enabling easy maintenance through simple plate removal and replacement.
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 design results in a cost-effective, easily assembled, and maintainable device that prevents freezing of liquid additives, ensures effective heat distribution, and simplifies component exchange, while maintaining the integrity of electrical components in harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electric heater extends from the plug-in plate into at least one cutout of the assembly main body
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a combination of active and passive heat-distributing elements, including heat pipes
Data Source
AI summary
A device for providing a liquid additive includes an assembly main body on which at least one hydraulic component is mounted for the operation of the device. A plug-in plate is fastened to the assembly main body and at least one electric heater and at least one further electrical component for the operation of the device are mounted on the plug-in plate. The at least one electric heater extends from the plug-in plate into at least one cutout of the assembly main body. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided.