Sheet Metal Exhaust Circuit Rigid Module Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle exhaust circuits face challenges in quickly achieving operational temperature for exhaust gas treatment devices and require reduction in size to fit within vehicle architecture, especially with bulky depollution accessories.

Innovation Solution

The exhaust circuit design features a direct unremovable fixing and welding of sheet metal peripheries between the turbine casing and the exhaust gas treatment device, forming a rigid, compact module with a common heat shield, allowing for earlier operational readiness and reduced size through integrated manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cast iron materials are used in exhaust system components, then structural strength is ensured, but thermal inertia is high causing slow temperature rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature rise speedVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from cast iron to thin sheet metal, fundamentally altering the thermal properties of the exhaust system components. This parameter change reduces thermal inertia and accelerates temperature rise, enabling exhaust gas treatment devices to reach operational temperature faster after vehicle startup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If numerous emissions control accessories are added to the exhaust system, then emission reduction capability is improved, but system size increases making integration difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission reduction capabilityVSAvoidsystem size
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple exhaust system components (exhaust manifold, turbine housing, and exhaust gas treatment device casing) into a single integrated structure made of sheet metal. This consolidation maintains all necessary emissions control functions while significantly reducing the overall system volume, enabling proper integration within vehicle architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If exhaust gas treatment devices are operated at optimal temperature, then treatment efficiency is maximized, but operational readiness is delayed due to heating time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidheating time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet metal construction performs preliminary thermal preparation by rapidly conducting heat from exhaust gases through the minimized thermal mass of the system. This preliminary heating action reduces the time required to reach optimal operating temperature, enabling exhaust gas treatment devices to become operational faster without compromising treatment efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This design accelerates temperature rise of exhaust gas treatment devices, ensures robust connection for handling and integration, and reduces the overall size of the exhaust circuit, enabling quicker operational readiness and improved integration within vehicle architecture.

Implementation Method 1

The connection is made by welding the metal sheet forming the perimeter of the turbine housing outlet directly against the metal sheet forming the inlet duct of the casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

the turbine and the casing are equipped with a common heat shield made in one piece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3267006B1Exhaust circuit comprising a turbine and a device for treating exhaust gases forming a rigid module
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 RENAULT SA
  • EP3267006B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3267006B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3267006B1 patent drawingFigure 4~8

AI summary

Motor vehicle exhaust circuit (10) comprising: - a turbine (20) which includes an external casing (30) made of sheet metal having an exhaust gas inlet orifice (18) and an exhaust gas outlet orifice (24); - an exhaust gas treatment device (22) comprising at least one sheet metal casing (26) which contains exhaust gas treatment components (40) and which includes an exhaust gas inlet duct (26A) connected to the outlet orifice of the turbine casing; characterized in that the connection between the casing and the casing is made by permanently fixing the sheet metal forming the perimeter (38) of the outlet orifice of the turbine casing directly against the sheet metal forming the inlet duct of the casing.