Abstract
An exhaust gas aftertreatment system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system has a first aftertreatment element including a first inlet region and a first outlet region, and a second aftertreatment element including a second inlet region and a second outlet region The first outlet region is connected to the second inlet region via at least one connection section, and the at least one connection section extends outside the first aftertreatment element. At least parts of the first inlet region and of the second inlet region are arranged in a common distributor housing.
Claims
1. An exhaust gas aftertreatment system for an internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas aftertreatment system comprising: a first aftertreatment element including a first inlet region and a first outlet region; and a second aftertreatment element including a second inlet region and a second outlet region; and at east one partition separating the first and second inlet regions; and at least one through-opening fluidly extending between the first and second inlet regions and through the at least one partition, the at least one through-opening configured to be selectively closed by a flap; and a connection section fluidly coupling the first outlet region to the second inlet region, and the connection section extends outside of the first aftertreatment element.
2. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system of claim 1, wherein at least parts of the first inlet region and of the second inlet region are arranged in a common distributor housing.
3. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system of claim 2, characterized in that the common distributor housing includes a housing casing in which the at least one partition is inserted.
4. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system of claim 2, the first aftertreatment element including at least a first casing the second aftertreatment element including a second casing, and wherein the common distributor housing, first casing and second casing are formed in one piece.
5. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system of claim 3, characterized in that the common distributor housing includes a first intake opening and a second intake opening, and at least one of the first and second intake openings is arranged radially on the housing casing.
6. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system of claim 5, characterized in that the first intake opening and the second intake opening are arranged diametrically on the housing casing.
7. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system of claim 1, wherein the least one partition includes at least two partitions which delimit at least one compensating space between the first inlet region and the second inlet region.
8. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one partition has—at least in part—a substantially planar profile.
9. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one partition has a curved profile at least in a flow direction.
10. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one partition has at least one bent edge.
11. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system of claim 1, characterized in that the first aftertreatment element and the second aftertreatment element are configured and arranged coaxially one behind the other.
12. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system of claim 1, characterized in that the connection section is configured and arranged at least in part to mix the exhaust gas.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The present invention will be explained in greater detail below on the basis of the embodiment variants shown in the non-limiting figures, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 shows, in an oblique view, an exhaust gas aftertreatment system according to the invention with an internal combustion engine in a first embodiment;
(3) FIG. 2 shows, in a longitudinal section, an exhaust gas aftertreatment system according to the invention in a second embodiment;
(4) FIG. 3 shows, in a longitudinal section, a detail of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system according to the invention in a third embodiment;
(5) FIG. 4 shows, in a longitudinal section, a detail of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system according to the invention in a fourth embodiment;
(6) FIG. 5 shows, in a longitudinal section, a detail of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system according to the invention in a fifth embodiment;
(7) FIG. 6 shows, in a longitudinal section, a detail of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system according to the invention in a sixth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(8) FIG. 1 shows an exhaust gas aftertreatment system 1 which is connected to an internal combustion engine 2. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system 1 comprises a first aftertreatment element 4 and a second aftertreatment element 5, wherein, in the example shown, these are arranged one above the other and vertically in relation to the intended operating position of the vehicle. Furthermore, they are arranged coaxially along a longitudinal axis 1a. Arranged between the first aftertreatment element 4 and the second aftertreatment element 5 are a first inlet region 6 and a second inlet region 7, wherein the latter are arranged in a distributor housing 3. The first inlet region 6 has a first intake opening 8, which is connected to the internal combustion engine 2 via a turbocharger 20. Via this connection, the first inlet region 6 is supplied with exhaust gas. During operation, the latter flows via the first inlet region 6 into the first aftertreatment element 4 and is routed via a first outlet region 9 into a connection section 10. Said connection section 10 is configured as a mixing section. There, gases or liquids may optionally be injected and may mix with the exhaust gas. Via a second intake opening 12, the exhaust gas can flow into the second inlet region 7 and onward through the second aftertreatment element 5. It is finally routed onward via the second outlet region 11 out of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system 1 and optionally to additional devices for treating the exhaust gas, to the exhaust pipe, or to other elements of the vehicle. A housing casing 24 of the distributor housing 3, the first intake opening 8, the second intake opening 12, a first casing 13 of the first aftertreatment element 4 and a second casing 14 of the second aftertreatment element 5 are formed in one piece and are part of a common housing. This is advantageous since a very high degree of rigidity can thus be achieved along the longitudinal extent of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system 1. In addition, the first aftertreatment element 4 and the second aftertreatment element 5 can thus be easily inserted into the one-piece component. Thereafter, the second outlet region 11 and the first outlet region 9 together with the connection section 10 can be attached by welding. As a result, an embodiment which is as compact as possible and at the same time stable is produced in a very simple manner. The housing casing 24 of the distributor housing 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape.
(9) FIG. 2 shows, in section, a further embodiment. The arrangement of the individual elements is similar, but the first casing 13 of the first aftertreatment element 4 and the second casing 14 of the second aftertreatment element 5 are not formed in one piece with the distributor housing 3. The parts are individually welded together, as a result of which it is more easily possible to insert a partition 13 into a housing casing 24 prior to assembly. The partition 15, which is inclined at an angle α of, for example, between approximately 15° and 75°, in particular 30°, relative to the longitudinal axis 1a of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system, divides the interior of the distributor housing 3 into two parts of substantially equal size, namely the first inlet region 6 and the second inlet region 7. The partition is substantially planar along an inclined axis, apart from a folded edge for attachment to the housing casing 24 and a flow obstruction 16. Said flow obstruction 16 is arranged centrally and is directed toward the first inlet region 6, so that the flow of gas flowing through the first intake opening 8 into the first inlet region 6 is swirled by the flow obstruction 16. As a result, the areas of the first aftertreatment element 4 close to the connection section 10 are better supplied with exhaust gas, and a better pressure distribution is made possible.
(10) FIG. 3 shows a detail of a third embodiment, namely the area of the first inlet region 6 and second inlet region 7. The partition 15 has, arranged centrally, a through-opening 22 with a pivotably mounted flap 17, which establishes a connection between the first inlet region 6 and the second inlet region 7. Said flap 17 can be brought into different opening angles or can be closed. As a result, the proportion of gas flowing in through the intake opening 8 and flowing directly into the second inlet region 7 can be adjusted, for example as a function of particular operating parameters, such as the temperature, or particular operating phases. Alternatively, it may also be advantageous to provide openings which cannot be closed by flaps.
(11) FIG. 4 shows a detail of a fourth embodiment, wherein the partition 15 has a projection 18 which is formed in one piece with the partition 15. The projection 18 has side walls 23 at the sides, as a result of which there are no openings establishing a direct connection between the first inlet region 6 and the second inlet region 7. In this advantageous embodiment, the exhaust gas flowing into the first aftertreatment element 6 is swirled, mixed and slowed by the projection 18, as a result of which a good flow is achieved even through areas of the first aftertreatment element 6 that are otherwise poorly supplied with gas. At the same time, the resulting indentation of the partition 15 on the side facing toward the second inlet region 7 can achieve similar effects.
(12) FIG. 5 shows a detail of a fifth embodiment, wherein two partitions 15a, 15b are provided. Both have an identical curved shape and delimit a compensating space 19 therebetween. As a result, both partitions 15a, 15b can be made thin, as a result of which they can be easily produced and machined despite the complex shape. On the one hand, the compensating space 19 changes the heat transfers between the first inlet region 6 and the second inlet region 7. On the other hand, by selecting the size of the compensating space 19, the first inlet region 6 and the second inlet region 7 can also be reduced in size.
(13) FIG. 6 shows, in section, a detail of a sixth embodiment variant, in which the partition 15 has two bent edges 21. In the embodiment shown, each bent edge 21 extends along an axis from one point of contact with the edge of the partition 15 to the other. This creates a relatively large first main space 6a and a relatively small first secondary space 6b in the first inlet region 6 close to the first intake opening 8, and a relatively large second main space 7a and a relatively small second secondary space 7b in the second inlet region 7 close to the second intake opening 12. This likewise leads to a swirling and a change in the pressure distribution over the cross-section of the first aftertreatment element 6 and second aftertreatment element 7, but at the same time this embodiment is very easy to produce, which is advantageous.
