Rear Wing Mudguard Channel for SCR Overflow Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for filling and managing the selective catalytic reduction liquid reservoir in vehicles lead to overflow issues, causing soil and paint damage on the rear bodywork due to the crystallization of the liquid reducing agent, and existing solutions like drain pipes are prone to clogging and are costly.

Innovation Solution

A rear wing design with a mudguard featuring a longitudinal channel and ribs to direct the overflow of liquid reducing agent away from the bodywork, utilizing a chute system that prevents soiling and includes optional drain holes to manage excess liquid without additional costly components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the liquid reducing agent reservoir is positioned close to the fuel tank with a filling orifice in the rear fender, then easy filling is achieved, but overflow during filling soils and damages the rear bodywork due to crystallization of the liquid reducing agent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of fillingVSAvoidsoiling and paint damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful overflow liquid is extracted from the bodywork surface by creating a groove in the mudguard that collects and channels the liquid away from the painted surfaces, preventing contact and damage while maintaining the convenient filling location

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove in the mudguard acts as an intermediary structure between the overflow source and the bodywork, intercepting the liquid reducing agent and directing it to a safe discharge location away from painted surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a drain pipe is used to evacuate overflow liquid reducing agent, then evacuation is achieved, but the pipe quickly clogs due to crystallization and the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevacuation capabilityVSAvoidclogging and cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using an expensive drain pipe that is prone to clogging, the invention uses a simple groove in the mudguard that is inexpensive to manufacture and cannot clog, accepting that the groove may need to be cleaned periodically but eliminating the risk of pipe blockage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution removes the drain pipe component entirely and extracts the evacuation function directly into the mudguard structure itself through the groove, simplifying the system and eliminating clogging issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Effectively evacuates excess liquid reducing agent without soiling or damaging the rear bodywork, preventing clogging and reducing costs by using existing mudguard features, thus maintaining paint integrity and avoiding pipe-related issues.

Implementation Method 1

the overflow of liquid agent flowing from the evacuation orifice towards the mudguard

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3164286B1Rear wing for motor vehicle, housing a tank for liquid for selective catalytic reduction
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3164286B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3164286B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3164286B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a rear wing (1) for a motor vehicle, said rear wing comprising a flap (4, 4a) for filling a tank with liquid reductant agent for a selective catalytic reduction system. The wing (1) also includes a mud guard (6) positioned at a distance from the wheel it is intended to cover. The flap (4, 4a) includes a housing (4) equipped with an overflow discharge port (5) for the liquid reductant agent, the overflow of liquid agent flowing from the discharge port (5) towards the mud guard (6). The rear wing is characterised in that the mud guard (6) comprises a longitudinal channel (7a) for directing the overflow liquid agent towards at least one longitudinal end of the mud guard (6). The invention is suitable for use in the field of motor vehicles.