Reducing Agent Line Insert for SCR Backsuction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing SCR systems face challenges in completely sucking back reducing agents like aqueous urea solutions due to air bubble formation and line diameter limitations, which can lead to incomplete drainage and potential freezing issues at low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

An insert with a cylindrical bore and chamfered portion is integrated into the reducing agent line, reducing the cross-section to a smaller diameter, allowing effective bubble trapping and phase boundary conversion to a larger diameter, enabling almost complete drainage even with larger line diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the line diameter is increased to improve reducing agent flow capacity, then the system performance is improved, but the ability to completely drain the line through backsuction deteriorates due to air bubble formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereducing agent flow capacityVSAvoidbacksuction completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insert acts as an intermediary element within the reducing agent line, providing a restricted flow path through its cylindrical bore. This intermediary structure forces the reducing agent to flow through a smaller cross-section, preventing air bubble entrapment while maintaining the ability to use larger external line diameters for improved flow capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insert segments the reducing agent line into different flow zones - a restricted zone through the cylindrical bore and a larger zone in the chamfered area. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from both small and large cross-sectional areas at different locations, resolving the contradiction between flow capacity and drainage completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the line diameter is reduced to improve backsuctionability, then the drainage completeness is improved, but the system performance and flow capacity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacksuction completenessVSAvoidreducing agent flow capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The insert with the smaller cylindrical bore is nested within the larger reducing agent line. This nesting arrangement allows the system to have a large external diameter for flow capacity while containing a smaller internal flow path for complete backsuctionability, effectively combining both requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If residual reducing agent remains in the line after engine shutdown, then the system is simpler, but freezing occurs at low temperatures causing ice pressure in valves and lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidfreezing damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insert serves as a mediator that enables complete draining of the reducing agent line by providing a restricted flow path that prevents air bubble formation. This allows the system to maintain simplicity without residual agent while avoiding the complexity of additional heating or drainage systems, and prevents freezing damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3455475B1Device and method for improving the backsuctionability of reduction agent in an exhaust gas reduction system
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3455475B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3455475B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3455475B1 patent drawingFigure 2c

AI summary

In order to prevent the formation of bubbles in a reductant line (2) of an exhaust gas reduction system, when reduction agent is extracted from the reductant line (2), an insert piece (4) is arranged in the reductant line (2) having a first cross-section. The insert piece (4) is designed in such a manner that it reduces the cross-section of the reductant line (2) to a second cross-section which is smaller than the first cross-section.