Integrated Tank Component for SCR Urea Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank components for vehicles that contain urea solutions for SCR systems face issues with pressure jumps and freezing of the reducing agent, which can cause mechanical stress on delicate parts and complicate installation, leading to potential damage and operational risks.
Innovation Solution
A tank component with a simple and inexpensive design that incorporates a compensation insert and a PTC heater, integrated into the tank's body, to manage pressure and prevent freezing-related issues, ensuring easy installation and reduced risk of damage to sensitive parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tank component includes passageways for reducing agent and associated functional devices (pump, sensors), then the system can manage and inject urea solution effectively, but the accumulated liquid may freeze in low temperatures causing mechanical stress and potential damage to delicate parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a compensation insert made of compressible material positioned in the passageway to absorb volume expansion from freezing liquid. This beforehand cushioning mechanism prevents mechanical stress from reaching delicate parts like pump components and sensor elements, protecting them from freezing damage while maintaining system reliability.
2Reliability
If the tank component integrates multiple functional devices (pump, sensors, heater) with associated passageways, then the system can effectively manage reducing agent, but installation becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional devices (pump, sensors, heater) and their associated passageways into a single integrated tank component assembly. This merging allows the entire assembly to be pre-tested and installed as one unit, significantly reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining full functional capability for reducing agent management.
3Temperature
If the tank component includes heating device to prevent freezing, then the reducing agent can be kept liquid at low temperatures, but the system complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is integrated directly into the tank component structure, merging the thermal management function with the existing mechanical components. This integration approach simplifies the overall system architecture, reduces the number of separate parts, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining effective temperature control to prevent freezing.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of mechanical stress and damage from pressure jumps and freezing, simplifies the installation process, and enhances the reliability of the tank component by using a compensation insert and a PTC heater to manage pressure and temperature fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
a PTC heater, integrated into the tank's body, to manage pressure and prevent freezing-related issues
Implementation Method 2
a compensation insert and a PTC heater, integrated into the tank's body, to manage pressure and prevent freezing-related issues
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
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AI summary
Component of tank of liquid additive of system for treating exhaust gases of internal combustion engine, has body positioned in fluid-tight way at opening of the tank and incorporates plurality of functional devices for managing liquid additive to be delivered to treatment system. Body of tank component is moulded using plastic material chemically resistant to liquid additive and is provided with at least one passageway for liquid additive. The plurality of functional devices comprises pump and pressure sensor having pressure-sensitive element. Passageway comprises delivery path for the liquid additive, which is defined at least in part in first wall of body of tank component and has inlet end configured for connection to delivery duct of the pump. Defined at outer side of first wall is at least one seat for positioning at least one part of pressure sensor. Moreover defined in the first wall is at least one passage for setting delivery path for liquid additive in fluid communication with sensitive element of pressure sensor.