SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, DEVICE FOR TREATING EXHAUST GASES, AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF

Abstract

Supporting structure having a first side surface and a second, opposite side surface, wherein the supporting structure has an electrical insulation which prevents an electrical current flow from the first side surface to the second side surface; wherein, furthermore, the supporting structure comprises at least one web which bridges or encloses a cross-sectional area, and wherein the supporting structure has a plurality of first pins and second pins which extend on both sides of the cross-sectional area.

Claims

1. A supporting structure, comprising: a first side surface; a second side surface, oppositely situated relative to the first side surface; an electrical insulator which prevents an electrical current flow from passing from the first side surface to the second side surface; at least one web which spans a cross-sectional area, such that the web is substantially parallel to the first side surface and the second side surface; and a plurality of first pins and a plurality of second pins, which extend to both sides of the cross-sectional area.

2. The supporting structure as claimed in patent claim 1, further comprising: an outer frame part, the outer frame part being part of the at least one web; and a second web connected to the outer frame part; wherein the second web extends inward from the outer frame part.

3. The supporting structure of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second pins are movable relative to a portion of the first pins.

4. The supporting structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one web is of a variable length.

5. The supporting structure of claim 1, each of the plurality of first pins and the plurality of second pins further comprising: an elongate body having two mutually oppositely situated tip regions; a pin insulator connected to the elongate body; and a metal layer formed on the outside of at least one of the tip regions; wherein the metal layer is connected to a cavity of a honeycomb body.

6. The supporting structure of claim 5, the pin insulator arranged within the elongate body.

7. The supporting structure of claim 5, the pin insulator arranged at least partially around the elongate body.

8. A device for the treatment of exhaust gases, comprising: at least one first, electrically energizable honeycomb body which has a first plurality of cavities; at least one second honeycomb body having a second plurality of cavities, the second honeycomb body adjacently arranged relative to the first honeycomb body; and at least one supporting structure arranged between and connecting the first honeycomb body to the second honeycomb body such that the supporting structure electrically insulates the first honeycomb body from the second honeycomb body, the at least one supporting structure further comprising: a first plurality of pins directed toward the first honeycomb body such that at least a portion of the first plurality of pins are connected to the first plurality of cavities; a second plurality of pins directed toward the second honeycomb body such that at least a portion of the second plurality of pins are connected to the second plurality of cavities; wherein a flow passes through the first plurality of cavities and the second plurality of cavities.

9. A method for producing a device for the treatment of exhaust gases, comprising the steps of: providing a first honeycomb body having a first plurality of cavities which is at least partially passed through by a flow; providing a second honeycomb body having a second plurality of cavities which is at least partially passed through by a flow; and providing a supporting structure having a plurality of first pins and a plurality of second pins; orienting the supporting structure between the first honeycomb body and the second honeycomb body; positioning the first pins toward the first honeycomb body such that the first pins are at least partially inserted into a portion of the first plurality of cavities, connecting the supporting structure to the first honeycomb body; positioning the second pins toward the second honeycomb body such that the second pins are at least partially inserted into a portion of the second plurality of cavities, connecting the supporting structure to the second honeycomb body.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of: providing a web being part of the support structure; connecting the first plurality pins of to the web such that one or more of the first plurality of pins is movable relative to the web.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of connecting the second plurality of pins to the web such that one or more of the second plurality of pins is movable relative to the web.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of: providing an at least partially structured metallic foil; generating a metallic honeycomb structure using the at least partially structured metallic foil; forming one of the first honeycomb body or the second honeycomb body by cutting the metallic honeycomb structure to separate a disk from the metal honeycomb structure.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of constructing the metallic honeycomb structure using a process selected from the group consisting of soldering, brazing, and welding.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of: connecting at least one of the first pins to a corresponding at least one of first cavities such that the first honeycomb body is connected to the supporting structure; connecting at least one of the second pins to a corresponding at least one of the second cavities such that the second honeycomb body is connected to the supporting structure.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: connecting the at least one of the first pins to the corresponding at least one of first cavities using a soldering process; connecting the at least one of the second pins to the corresponding at least one of second cavities using a soldering process.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The invention and the technical field will be discussed in more detail below on the basis of the figures. It is pointed out that the figures show particularly preferred design variants and details of the invention, but the invention is not restricted to these. Here, identical components in the figures are denoted by the same reference designations. In particular, it should not be assumed that all details in one figure must be implemented separately only in the illustrated manner or must arise only in the illustrated combination with one another. If such a situation applies, this will be explicitly stated.

[0055] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a supporting structure,

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a supporting structure,

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a supporting structure with a guide,

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a sectional illustration of a pin,

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a further design variant of the supporting structure,

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a further design variant of the supporting structure,

[0062] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a further design variant of the supporting structure with a web which is variable in terms of length,

[0063] FIG. 8 shows a plan view of a supporting structure which is connected to a second honeycomb body,

[0064] FIG. 9 shows a sectional illustration of a device with a supporting structure,

[0065] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a supporting structure which is connected to a second honeycomb body,

[0066] FIG. 11 shows a further sectional illustration of a device with a supporting structure, and

[0067] FIG. 12 shows a process of separating off a disk from a metal honeycomb structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0068] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0069] FIG. 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a supporting structure 1, having a first side surface 6 and having a second, oppositely situated side surface 7. The supporting structure 1 comprises at least one web 2 which has substantially an elongate and rectangular cross-sectional shape. A multiplicity of first pins 4 extends away from the first side surface 6 and a multiplicity of second pins 5 extends away from the second side surface 7. The first pins 4 and the second pins 5 are held by the web 2.

[0070] FIG. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of a supporting structure 1, in turn having a first side surface 6 and having a second, oppositely situated side surface 7. The web 2 spans the cross-sectional area 3, which is in particular parallel to the first side surface 6 and to the second side surface 7. The cross-sectional area 3 may, as shown, lie (exactly) in a (geometrical) plane with the second side surface 7. The first pins 4 and the second pins 5 extend to both sides of the cross-sectional area 3.

[0071] FIG. 3 schematically shows a plan view of a supporting structure 1, wherein the plan view is directed towards the second side surface 7. The supporting structure 1 comprises a web 2 which holds two second pins 5. The second pin 5 illustrated on the right is movable in a guide 26. The guide 26 holds the second pin 5 and ensures a movement of the second pin 5 along the (translational) movement direction 25, in this case to the left and to the right. The left-hand second pin 5 is fixedly connected to the web 2.

[0072] FIG. 4 schematically shows a sectional illustration of a first pin 4 and/or second pin 5. A body 11 is shown, having a pin insulator 13 which at least partially surrounds the body 11. At the ends of the pin illustrated in this case at the left and at the right, two oppositely situated tip regions 12 are shown. The tip regions 12 are formed with a metal layer 32 on the outside.

[0073] FIG. 5 schematically shows a plan view of a further design variant of the supporting structure 1. The plan view is directed toward the first side surface 6, and therefore a multiplicity of first pins 4 may be seen. The supporting structure 1 comprises two webs 2 which are arranged in an X shape relative to one another. The webs 2 are connected to one another in the middle.

[0074] FIG. 6 schematically shows a plan view of a further design variant of the supporting structure 1. The plan view is directed toward the first side surface 6, and therefore a multiplicity of first pins 4 may be seen. A web 2 forms an outer frame part 8. The frame part 8 is of circular shape and is connected to at least one further web 2, which points inward from the outer frame part 8. By way of example, three further webs 2 are formed here, which further webs point inward from the outer frame part 8 and are connected to one another in the middle. The inward direction 23 is in this case specified as an inwardly pointing radial direction. The outer frame part 8 and the three further webs 2 are in this case formed in one piece. The three further webs 2 are arranged in a Y shape.

[0075] FIG. 7 schematically shows a plan view of a further design variant of the supporting structure 1, having a web 2 which is variable in terms of length 9, wherein, in this case, too, the plan view is directed toward the first side surface 6, and therefore a multiplicity of first pins 4 may be seen. A web 2 forms an outer frame part 8, and a further web 2 points inward from the outer frame part 8. The further web 2 is variable in length 9. An exemplary change in length 31 of the web 2 is shown.

[0076] FIG. 8 schematically shows a plan view of a supporting structure 1 which is connected to a second honeycomb body 16. The supporting structure 1 comprises, by way of example, three webs 2 which are connected to one another in the middle and which are arranged in a Y shape and/or star shape. In one sub-region, the second cavities 18 of the second honeycomb body 16 are indicated. The second honeycomb body 16 is formed with a multiplicity of foils 27. The plan view is directed toward the first side surface 6 of the supporting structure 1 and the second face side 34 of the second honeycomb body 16, and therefore it is also possible to see a multiplicity of first pins 4. The supporting structure 1 makes contact, by way of example, with the second face side 34, wherein the second face side 34 in this case at least partially forms the cross-sectional area 3. Second pins 5 point into the plane of the drawing and are connected to second cavities 18 of the second honeycomb body 16. The second honeycomb body 16 is delimited radially toward the outside by a casing tube 29.

[0077] FIG. 9 schematically shows a sectional illustration of a device 14 having a supporting structure 1. The sectional illustration is, by way of example, illustrated in accordance with the section I-I indicated in FIG. 8. Provision is not made for the supporting structure 1 to completely prevent a flow through the device 14. A first honeycomb body 15 and a second honeycomb body 16 are shown, which are arranged in a casing tube 29 and which are flowed through by an exhaust gas in succession. The supporting structure 1 has the first side surface 6 adjacent to the first honeycomb body 15 and the second side surface 7 adjacent to the second honeycomb body 16. The first side surface 6 may come into contact with the first face side 33 and the second side surface 7 may come into contact with the second face side 34. In the region of the first side surface 6, there is formed an electrical insulator 10 which prevents an electrical current flow 22 from the first honeycomb body 15 to the second honeycomb body 16. By way of example, the insulator 10 is formed with ceramic, and in particular, the first side surface 6 is in this case coated with the insulator 10. Furthermore, an insulating action is provided by way of the pin insulator 13.

[0078] The first honeycomb body 15 and the second honeycomb body 16 are connected to one another and supported against one another by way of the supporting structure 1. For this purpose, the first pins 4 engage into first cavities 17 of the first honeycomb body 15 and the second pins 5 engage into second cavities 18 of the second honeycomb body 16. The first pins 4 are at least partially connected to first cavities 17 and the second pins 5 are at least partially connected to second cavities 18. The first pins 4 and the second pins 5 are in this case schematically illustrated. By way of example, different pin lengths and pin diameters are shown. Nevertheless, the first pins 4 and/or the second pins 5 are generally configured uniformly within a device 14.

[0079] FIG. 10 schematically shows a plan view of a supporting structure 1 which is connected to a second honeycomb body 16. The supporting structure 1 comprises, by way of example, three inner webs 2 and an outer frame part 8. Second cavities 18 of the second honeycomb body 16 may be seen, through which an exhaust gas may flow. The plan view is directed toward the first side surface 6 of the supporting structure 1 and the second face side 34 of the second honeycomb body 16, and therefore a multiplicity of first pins 4 may also be seen. The supporting structure 1 lies, for example, against the second face side 34 of the second honeycomb body 16, wherein the second face side 34 at least partially forms the cross-sectional area 3. Second pins 5 point into the plane of the drawing and are connected to second cavities 18 of the second honeycomb body 16. The second honeycomb body 16 is delimited radially to the outside by a casing tube 29.

[0080] FIG. 11 schematically shows a sectional illustration of a device 14 having a supporting structure 1. The sectional illustration shows a section through a supporting structure 1 comprising an outer frame part 8 with at least one further web 2 which points inward from the outer frame part 8. The first pins 4 and the second pins 5 have, by way of example, an electrically non-conductive body 11 and an outer metal layer 32, which surrounds in each case a tip region 12 of the first pin 4 and of the second pin 5. The first pins 4 are at least partially connected to predefined first cavities 17. By way of example, the metal layer 32 of a first pin 4 is at least partially (cohesively) connected to at least an inner side of a predefined first cavity 17. The second pins 5 are at least partially connected to predefined second cavities 18. By way of example, the metal layer 32 of a second pin 5 is at least partially (cohesively) connected to at least an inner side of a predefined second cavity 18.

[0081] FIG. 11 furthermore schematically shows, by way of example, the main flow direction 24 of an exhaust gas, which flows through the first honeycomb body 15, the supporting structure 1 and the second honeycomb body 16 in succession. The first, electrically energizable honeycomb body 15 is electrically energized by way of at least one electrical connection 28 and by way of at least one current-distributing structure 30. A current flow 22 thus flows through the first honeycomb body 15.

[0082] FIG. 12 schematically shows a process of separating off a disk 21 from a metal honeycomb structure 20. The metal honeycomb structure 20 is formed with at least one at least partially structured foil 27. The metal honeycomb structure 20 is furthermore brazed. By way of a separating process 19, a disk 21 is separated from the metal honeycomb structure 20. The separating process 19 is performed for example by way of a cutting wire. The separating process 19 results in a first honeycomb body 15 and a second honeycomb body 16 being formed.

[0083] It is seen that the present invention specifies a supporting structure with which a connection of honeycomb bodies may be realized as easily and quickly as possible. The supporting structure furthermore performs the function of an electrical insulator. Furthermore, the invention specifies a device which is connected easily and quickly, and a method for producing a corresponding device. Furthermore, a method is specified by way of which electrically energizable honeycomb bodies may be produced more easily, in particular narrow electrically energizable honeycomb bodies with a large outer diameter.

[0084] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.