Reducing Agent Delivery System Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery systems for reducing agents in internal combustion engines face challenges in operating efficiently at low temperatures, leading to overloading of the onboard electrical network and potential ice cavity formation, which hinders rapid thawing and effective heat conduction.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the thermal energy requirements for the delivery system by assessing temperature and system parameters, and strategically activates electrically operated components with a time offset to prevent network overload and ensure thawing without ice cavity formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If all heating components are switched on simultaneously to achieve rapid thawing, then the thawing speed is improved, but the onboard electrical network is overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit calculates the required thermal energy and determines an activation sequence for heating components before simultaneous activation. This preliminary calculation allows the system to distribute power demands over time, preventing electrical network overload while achieving rapid thawing through optimized sequential activation of heating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the activation sequence of heating components based on real-time temperature measurements and thermal energy calculations. By making the activation sequence adaptive rather than fixed, the system optimizes thawing speed while managing electrical load demands dynamically to prevent network overload.
2Loss of time
If the reducing agent is removed immediately after thawing, then the delivery system operational time is reduced, but an ice cavity forms preventing effective heat conduction
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors temperature distribution throughout the reducing agent and determines the optimal removal timing based on calculated thermal energy requirements. By using preliminary temperature assessment and thermal modeling, the system identifies the precise moment when thawing is complete throughout the entire volume, enabling immediate removal without ice cavity formation while minimizing operational time.
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 method effectively prevents overloading of the electrical network and ensures the delivery system operates within the required time frame, even at low temperatures, by optimizing thermal energy distribution and component activation timing.
Implementation Method 1
PTC heating elements (PTC: Positive Temperature Coefficient), in particular, have become established as heating elements. In those heating elements, the electric resistance is proportional to the temperature of the heating element. As a rule, the temperature dependence of the resistance is nonlinear, and therefore such heating elements can be used in a self-regulating manner for predetermined temperature ranges.
Implementation Method 2
At temperatures below −11° C., the reducing agent solidifies and is therefore impossible to deliver. In order to ensure that the delivery system nevertheless operates without problems, even at such low temperatures, and in particular to thaw the reducing agent after the vehicle has been stationary for a prolonged period, there is a known practice of providing heating elements which melt or heat the frozen and solidified reducing agent.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for heating a delivery system providing reducing agent to an exhaust gas treatment device of an internal combustion engine having electrical components, includes determining a temperature in the delivery system, determining thermal energy required for error-free operation of the delivery system in a time interval, and introducing the required thermal energy into the delivery system by operating the electrical components within the time interval. The electrical components are activated at a time offset of at least 30 seconds. The required energy is determined so that the quantity of reducing agent to be delivered hourly is provided in liquid form at least four times after the time interval. The method prevents overloading of an electrical system of a motor vehicle when heating the delivery system and prevents ice cavity formation in a reducing agent in a tank. A motor vehicle having a delivery system is also provided.