Transportable Urea Dispensing System with Segmented Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for dispensing urea solutions in diesel vehicles face challenges such as deposits in exhaust pipes, complicating the management of containers, and impracticality in transporting large containers to remote locations, especially where service stations are scarce, making it difficult to distribute urea solutions with or without additives effectively.

Innovation Solution

A transportable container system that includes separate compartments for urea solution and additives, with fluidic circuits and valves allowing for mixing and distribution of urea solutions with or without additives at the point of use, enabling flexible and efficient distribution without the need for large containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the additive is added to the urea solution at a production facility, then the urea solution can be prepared with additives, but the management of containers for both urea solution and additive becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveurea solution preparation qualityVSAvoidcontainer management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the urea solution storage into separate containers: a first container for pure urea solution and a second container for additive. This segmentation allows independent management of each substance while maintaining the ability to mix them when needed, thereby simplifying container management while ensuring solution quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If large containers are transported to remote locations, then urea solution with additives can be distributed, but transporting large containers to remote, hard-to-reach locations becomes impractical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveurea solution distribution capabilityVSAvoidtransportability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses multiple smaller containers (first container for urea solution, second container for additive) instead of one large container. These smaller containers can be easily transported to remote locations and then combined to provide the full distribution capability, thus improving transportability while maintaining distribution capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the contents of the first container (urea solution) and second container (additive) at the point of use through fluid circuits and mixing mechanisms. This merging allows the system to provide the full functionality of a large container system while using smaller, more transportable individual containers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If urea solution is distributed in areas with few or no gas stations, then remote area distribution is enabled, but the infrastructure requirement of gas stations is eliminated making distribution more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution location flexibilityVSAvoiddistribution system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to be self-contained with all necessary components (urea solution container, additive container, mixing mechanism, distribution outlets) integrated into a single unit that can operate independently without external gas station infrastructure. This self-service capability enables distribution in remote areas while managing system complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If small quantity of urea solution is prepared for individual consumers, then personalized distribution is enabled, but the preparation of small quantities becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity flexibilityVSAvoidpreparation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates adjustable fluid circuits and valves that allow dynamic control of the mixing ratio and quantity of urea solution and additive. This dynamic adjustment capability enables preparation of small or large quantities as needed while managing complexity through standardized control mechanisms that can be operated simply by the end user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 system allows for the flexible distribution of urea solutions with or without additives, improving management and transportability, enabling small quantity preparation for individual needs without requiring service stations, and facilitating distribution to remote areas.

Implementation Method 1

the second fluid circuit comprising a first valve configurable between an open position, in which the first fluid circuit is in fluidic communication with the second fluid circuit so as to mix the urea solution and the additive, and a closed position, in which the fluidic communication between the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit is interrupted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidic communication control: Valve

Implementation Method 2

the junction placing the second fluid circuit in fluidic communication with the first fluid circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid mixing:

Data Source

PatentEP4003902B1Dispensing system for a urea solution including a transportable container and associated dispensing device
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 TOTALENERGIES ONETECH
  • EP4003902B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4003902B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4003902B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The dispensing system (12) comprises a transportable container (16) and comprises, inside the container (16), at least one first vessel (24) for receiving a urea solution, at least one second vessel (26) for receiving an additive for the urea solution, and at least one first set (30) of fluid circuits, comprising a first fluid circuit (34) connecting the first vessel (24) to a junction (35), at least one second fluid circuit (36) connecting the second vessel (26) to the junction (35), the second fluid circuit (36) comprising a valve (44) that can be configured between an open position, in which the first and second fluid circuits (34, 36) are in fluid communication, and a closed position, and a first dispensing circuit (40).