Thermal Energy Store for Exhaust Dosing Module Overheating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exhaust gas aftertreatment systems for agricultural working machines face overheating issues when the cooling system is interrupted, potentially damaging the dosing module and injection nozzle, leading to impaired functionality and potential failure.

Innovation Solution

A thermal energy store is thermally conductively connected to the dosing module and injection nozzle to absorb and store thermal energy, preventing overheating by routing heat away from these components during cooling interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling water is used to cool the dosing module during engine operation, then the dosing module can be kept at safe operating temperatures, but the dosing module overheats when the cooling system is interrupted causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing module temperatureVSAvoiddosing module reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-cooling the dosing module during normal engine operation when the cooling system is functional. The cooling water circulates through the dosing module to maintain safe temperatures before any potential cooling interruption occurs. This preparatory cooling ensures that the thermal mass of the dosing module is minimized, providing a buffer against overheating when the cooling system fails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by using the thermal mass of the dosing module itself and the surrounding engine components as a heat buffer. The dosing module is designed with sufficient thermal inertia to withstand temporary cooling interruptions. Additionally, the positioning of the dosing module within the exhaust system utilizes the thermal characteristics of surrounding components to provide passive thermal management during cooling failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Productivity

If the dosing module is positioned in the exhaust system for effective reducing agent injection, then exhaust gas treatment efficiency is improved, but the dosing module is exposed to high temperatures that can damage components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas treatment efficiencyVSAvoidthermal damage to dosing module
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses cooling water as an intermediary substance to transfer heat away from the dosing module. The cooling water circulates through channels in the dosing module housing, absorbing excess thermal energy from the hot exhaust environment and transporting it to the engine cooling system. This intermediary cooling mechanism allows the dosing module to operate in the high-temperature exhaust system while maintaining safe internal temperatures for sensitive components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing targeted cooling only to the dosing module rather than cooling the entire exhaust system. The cooling water flows through specific passages in the dosing module housing, creating localized thermal management zones. This allows the injection nozzle and internal components to be protected from overheating while the external housing can tolerate higher temperatures necessary for effective reducing agent vaporization and mixing with exhaust gases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 thermal energy store effectively reduces heat load on the dosing module and injection nozzle, ensuring safe and long-term operation by absorbing and storing thermal energy, thus preventing damage from excessive temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal energy store (28) which is thermally conductively connected to the dosing module (24), and in particular the injection nozzle (26)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

A thermal energy store is thermally conductively connected to the dosing module and injection nozzle to absorb and store thermal energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Data Source

PatentEP3135876B1Device for aftertreatment of exhaust gas
Publication Date: 2018.03.14 CLAAS TRACTOR
  • EP3135876B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3135876B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3135876B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A device (16) for exhaust aftertreatment for a vehicle (10), in particular an agricultural machine, with an internal combustion engine (12), with a metering module (24) with an injection nozzle (26) for introducing an auxiliary substance, in particular a reducing agent such as urea, into an exhaust gas stream of the internal combustion engine (12), wherein, according to the invention, a heat energy storage device (28) is provided for storing heat energy of the metering module (24), which is thermally conductively connected to the metering module (24), and in particular to the injection nozzle (26).