CN106555647B

CN106555647B - Fluid supply assembly

Info

Publication number: CN106555647B
Application number: CN201510635371.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R.班达里; G.穆图萨米; A.马尼; N.尚姆加姆; S.雅纳基拉曼
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH; Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Pvt Ltd
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH; Bosch Global Software Technologies Pvt Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-30
Filing date: 2015-09-30
Publication date: 2021-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-30
Also published as: CN106555647A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fluid supply assembly. Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fluid supply assembly including a storage tank (102), a pre-filter (114) and a heater assembly (118) within the storage tank (102), a supply module (108) mounted to and fluidly coupled to the storage tank (102). The fluid supply assembly further includes a drain plug (116) on the reservoir (102). The drain plug (116) is integrated with the pre-filter (114) inside the reservoir (102). The fluid supply assembly further includes a suction path (104) fluidly communicating from a pre-filter (114) inside the reservoir tank (102) to the supply module (108). Further, a return path (112) is provided that is fluidly connected from the supply module (108) to the reservoir tank (102).

Description

Fluid supply assembly

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a fluid supply assembly for an Exhaust Gas Treatment (EGT) system of a vehicle.

Background

According to patent publication US2013/0000281a1, a fluid supply assembly is provided that includes a tank configured to hold a fluid and a pump configured to draw the fluid from the tank. The canister includes a recess and the pump is mounted to the canister in the recess. The fluid supply assembly further comprises a heater disposed on a horizontal surface of the tank. The heater includes at least a portion thereof extending into the tank interior such that the pump can draw fluid from the tank.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a fluid supply assembly comprising a reservoir tank, and a pre-filter and heater assembly within the reservoir tank, a supply module mounted to and fluidly coupled to the reservoir tank, the assembly further comprising: a drain plug on the storage tank integrated with the pre-filter inside the storage tank; a suction path fluidly communicating from the pre-filter inside the storage tank to the supply module; and a return path fluidly communicating from the supply module to the reservoir tank.

According to an embodiment of the invention, an interface means is provided for each of the suction path and the return path to establish the fluid communication between the reservoir tank and the supply module.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the suction path comprises a first conduit between the pre-filter and the opening of the reservoir tank, and a second conduit within the supply module, wherein the first conduit is in fluid communication with the second conduit.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the return flow path comprises a first conduit in a storage tank, and a second conduit within the supply module, wherein the first conduit is in fluid communication with the second conduit.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the suction path and the return path is equipped with at least one connector made of a metal having a high thermal conductivity.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the fluid communication for each of the suction path and the return path is covered with a thawing unit.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the supply module is mounted on the storage tank by at least one metal bushing.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings,

figure 1 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a fluid supply assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,

FIG. 2 illustrates a fluid supply assembly with a mounting bushing secured thereto, an

FIG. 3 illustrates a fluid supply assembly with a supply module and a thawing unit secured thereto according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a fluid supply assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fluid supply assembly includes a reservoir 102, a pre-filter 114 within the reservoir 102 along with a heater assembly 118. The supply module 108 is mounted to and fluidly coupled to the storage tank 102. The supply module 108 includes a supply pump, a pressure sensor, an emptying device, a main filter, a protective cover, and an electrical connector. The fluid supply assembly further includes a drain plug 116 on the reservoir 102. A drain plug 116 is integrated with the pre-filter 114 inside the reservoir 102. Still further, the suction path 104 is provided in fluid communication from the pre-filter 114 inside the reservoir tank 102 to the supply module 108. Similarly, a return path 112 is also provided in fluid communication from the supply module 108 to the reservoir 102.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, both the suction path 104 and the return path 112 are positioned adjacent to the heater assembly 118. More specifically, the suction path 104 and the return path 112 are in contact with the heater assembly 118 or are near/proximate to the heater assembly 118. The heater assembly 118 maintains the DEF in a molten state at the freezing temperature. The suction path 104 and the return path 112 are preferably, but not limited to, made of a metallic material having a high thermal conductivity to enhance thawing of frozen fluid within the conduit between the reservoir tank 102 and the supply module 108.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an interface device 106 is provided for each of the suction path 104 and the return path 112 to establish fluid communication between the reservoir tank 102 and the supply module 108. The interface 106 is selected to be a flexible member such as a bellows, a conduit, etc. In the case of the bellows, the bellows is selected from a metal bellows or a rubber bellows.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the suction path 104 includes a first conduit between the pre-filter 114 and the opening of the reservoir 102, and a second conduit within the supply module 108. The first conduit is in fluid communication with the second conduit through the interface device 106. The first and second conduits of the reservoir tank 102 and the supply module 108, respectively, are further fluidly coupled to a pair of connectors 110. The coupling 110 is a metal tube insert. The connector 110 facilitates improved securement of the interface device 106 and normal flow of fluid. The pair of connectors 110 is provided for each of the suction path 104 and the return path 112. Alternatively, each of the suction path 104 and the return path 112 includes a single conduit from the reservoir tank 102 to the supply module 108.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the return flow path 112 includes a first conduit in the reservoir tank 102, and a second conduit within the supply module 108. The first conduit is in fluid communication with the second conduit through the interface device 106. Similar to the suction path 104, the pair of connectors 110 in the return path 112 also contribute to improved securement of the interface device 106 and normal flow of fluid.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the suction path 104 and the return path 112 includes at least one connector 110, which is made of a metal having high thermal conductivity. The connector 110 is a metal tube insert. Also, the connector 110 enhances the thawing of the frozen fluid when in contact with the thawing unit.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, fluid communication for each of the suction path 104 and the return path 112 passes through the thawing unit. The defrosting unit comprises an inlet and an outlet for the heat transfer fluid. The thawing unit further comprises channels for the suction path 104 and the return path 112. The heat transfer fluid is stored separately in the container and dedicated to the defrosting unit. Alternatively, the heat transfer fluid is engine coolant.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid supply assembly is used to supply Diesel Emission Fluid (DEF) to a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system or an EGT system. DEF is also known as a reducing agent or reducing agent. Alternatively, the fluid is any liquid, such as water, oil, etc.

FIG. 2 illustrates a fluid supply assembly with a mounting bushing secured thereto according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The reservoir 102 also includes a fill neck with a plug 202 and a location for mounting the supply module 108 on the reservoir 102. The Y-shaped area provides at least one metal bushing 204 for mounting the supply module 108 to the storage tank 102. Similarly, another metal bushing 204 is provided that mounts a shield/housing for the fluid supply assembly. At least one metal liner 204 is provided during manufacture of the storage tank 102. At least one metal bushing 204 bears the heavy-duty vehicle vibration limits. The storage tank 102 is shown with three metal bushings 204 to mount the supply module 108 and two metal bushings 204 to mount the protective cover. The number of the metal bushings 204 varies according to the design and is not limited to the above-described number. The reservoir 102 also includes at least one opening 206 for aspiration and return of fluid. The reservoir tank 102 is shown with two openings 206 primarily for the inlet and outlet of fluid.

FIG. 3 illustrates a fluid supply assembly with a supply module and a thawing unit secured thereto according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The thawing unit 302 is small in size and fits between the supply module 108 and the storage tank 102. A third conduit 304 fluidly couples the heater assembly 118 with the storage tank 102. The heater assembly 118 and the defrosting unit 102 function the same, but the defrosting unit serves as an additional heating device for the conduit between the storage tank 102 and the supply module 108. The third conduit 304 supplies the same heat transfer fluid (which is used within the heater assembly 118) for the defrosting unit 302. Alternatively, a separate heat transfer fluid is provided to the heater assembly 118 and the defrost unit 302. The heat transfer fluid comprises a fluid having a temperature greater than the temperature required to maintain the fluid in the storage tank 102 in a molten state.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a mounting and interface device 106 between the supply module 108 and the storage tank 102 is provided. The supply module 108 is mounted directly on the storage tank 102. The interface device 106 includes a hydraulic interface and dampens vibrations in the vehicle, thereby avoiding damage to any conduits. The interface device 106 is also adapted to any manufacturing tolerances. Also, the fluid supply assembly provides a rigid mounting to the supply module 108. Due to the integrated design of the supply module 108 on the tank 102, long hoses/pipes for the suction path 104 and the return path 112 are eliminated. Further, the integrated design of the drain plug 116 and the pre-filter 114 enables easy installation and maintenance. The pre-filter 114 of the storage tank 102 may be replaced independently without removing the thawing unit 302 or the supply module 108. The main filter of the supply module 108 may also be replaced without removal. The complexity involved in the assembly process of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) is reduced and a smaller number of mounting fasteners are required. Further, as the length of the suction path 104 is reduced, the calibration work is also reduced. The overall cost of the supply module 108 and the storage tank 102 is also reduced. The fluid supply assembly improves system performance with respect to suction pressure and pressure build-up time.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a suction path 104 with a positive fluid head from the reservoir tank 102 reduces pumping losses. The reduced length of the suction path 104 and the return path 112, along with the metal insert and interface device, avoids the hydraulic conduit from collapsing due to increased fluid volume in frozen conditions. Further, the use and consumption of electrical energy is reduced in case of electrical heating of the conduit during the defrosting process. Defrosting by using the engine coolant fluid is effective due to the reduced length of the conduits, and heat conduction from the defrosting unit 302 and the heater assembly 118 is direct conduction or convection. Installation using the metal bushing 204 provides a cost savings because no mounting bracket is used.

It should be understood that the embodiments explained in the above description are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Many other modifications and variations of this embodiment and the embodiments explained in the description are contemplated. The scope of the invention is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A fluid supply assembly for an exhaust treatment system of a vehicle, the fluid supply assembly comprising a storage tank (102), and a pre-filter (114) and heater assembly (118) within the storage tank (102), a supply module (108) mounted to and fluidly coupled to the storage tank (102), the assembly further comprising:

a drain plug (116) on the storage tank (102), the drain plug (116) integrated with the pre-filter (114) inside the storage tank (102);

a suction path (104) fluidly communicating from the pre-filter (114) inside the storage tank (102) to the supply module (108); and

a return path (112) fluidly communicating from the supply module (108) to the reservoir (102), wherein the suction path (104) comprises a first conduit between the pre-filter (114) and an opening (206) of the reservoir (102) and a second conduit within the supply module (108), and the return path (112) comprises a first conduit in the reservoir (102) and a second conduit within the supply module (108), wherein the first conduit is in fluid communication with the second conduit.

2. The fluid supply assembly of claim 1, wherein an interface device (106) is provided for each of the suction path (104) and the return path (112) to establish the fluid communication between the reservoir tank (102) and the supply module (108).

3. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the suction path (104) and the return path (112) is fitted with at least one connector (110) made of a metal having a high thermal conductivity.

4. The fluid supply assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid communication for each of the suction path (104) and the return path (112) is covered with a defrost unit (302).

5. The fluid supply assembly of claim 1, wherein the supply module (108) is mounted on the reservoir tank (102) by at least one metal bushing (204).