Mixing pipe arrangement with housing

Abstract

A mixer for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine for mixing additives into an exhaust gas flow, with at least one inlet pipe having a pipe axis, with at least one outlet pipe having a pipe axis and with a housing for receiving the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, wherein the outlet pipe has an inner part which is arranged within the housing and is provided with at least one outflow opening for the purpose of conducting the exhaust gas out of the housing, wherein the housing has a first housing part with a first housing edge and at least one second housing part with a second housing edge, wherein the two housing parts are at least partially connected via the housing edge, and in that the inlet pipe has an inner part which is arranged within the housing and is provided with at least one inlet opening for the purpose of introducing the exhaust gas into the housing, wherein a) the respective housing edge as at least two formations, each having a center axis, and/or b) the respective housing part has at least two rim holes, each having a center axis, and the respective pipe has bearing points via which said pipe is mounted within the formations or within the rim holes, wherein i) the respective pipe is formed symmetrically with respect to the design of the bearing points, and, for the purpose of installation, can be mounted in at least two different positions R1, R2 in the respective formation, or ii) the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are of identical design with respect to the design of the bearing points, or iii) the two housing parts are connectable in a plurality of positions S1, S2 relative to each other via the housing edge.

Claims

1. A mixer for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine for mixing additives into an exhaust gas flow, comprising: at least one inlet pipe having a pipe axis, with at least one outlet pipe having a pipe axis and with a housing for receiving the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, wherein the outlet pipe has an inner part which is arranged within the housing and is provided with at least one outflow opening for the purpose of conducting the exhaust gas out of the housing, wherein the housing has a first housing part with a first housing edge and at least one second housing part with a second housing edge, wherein the at least two housing parts are at least partially connected via the first housing edge and the second housing edge, and wherein the inlet pipe has an inner part which is arranged within the housing and is provided with at least one inlet opening for the purpose of introducing the exhaust gas into the housing, wherein one or more of a) the first housing edge and the second housing edge have at least two formations each having a center axis, and b) the first housing part and the second housing part have at least two rim holes, each having a center axis, and the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe have bearing points via which the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe is mounted within the formations or within the rim holes, wherein i) the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are formed symmetrically with respect to the design of the bearing points and, for the purpose of installation, can be mounted in at least two different positions (R1, R2) in the respective formation or ii) the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are of identical design with respect to the design of the bearing points, or iii) the first housing part and the second housing part are connectable in a plurality of positions (S1, S2) relative to each other via the first housing edge and the second housing edge.

2. The mixer according to claim 1, wherein two formations or the at least two rim holes each have a joint straight center axis.

3. The mixer according to claim 2, wherein at least one additional formation having a center axis is provided within the first housing edge and the second housing edge, said center axis being positioned at an angle () with respect to the center axis of at least one of the at least two formations, wherein the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe has a L-shaped, T-shaped or a Y-shaped basic form, wherein the first housing edge and the second housing edge form a dividing plane E formed point-symmetrically with respect to a perpendicular (N) of the dividing plane (E) or formed axisymmetrically with respect to a straight line (G) of the dividing plane (E), and wherein the first housing part and the second housing part have a partially cylindrical basic form having a center axis (b) or a partially spherical basic form having a midpoint (M) as well as an internal radius (ri) and an external radius (ra) in the region of the first housing edge and the second housing edge, wherein the rule (ri)>=(ra) applies to the ratio between the internal radius (ri) of the first housing edge and the external radius (ra) of the second housing edge.

4. The mixer according to claim 3, wherein one or more of the inlet opening and the outflow opening is/are formed by one or more recesses which are optionally formed as a swirl flap, wherein one or more of the inlet opening and the outflow opening has/have a hydraulic cross-section (Q1, Q2) which varies with respect to the course of the pipe axis of the inlet pipe or the pipe axis of the outlet pipe, and wherein the hydraulic cross-section (Q1, Q2) increases with respect to a direction of flow of the exhaust gas.

5. The mixer according to claim 1, wherein all formations or all rim holes have the same diameter (D).

6. The mixer according to claim 5, wherein at least one additional formation having a center axis is provided within the first housing edge and the second housing edge, said center axis being positioned at an angle () with respect to the center axis of at least one of the at least two formations, wherein the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe has a L-shaped, T-shaped or a Y-shaped basic form, wherein the first housing edge and the second housing edge form a dividing plane (E) formed point-symmetrically with respect to a perpendicular (N) of the dividing plane (E) or formed axisymmetrically with respect to a straight line (G) of the dividing plane (E), and wherein the first housing part and the second housing part have a partially cylindrical basic form having a center axis (b) or a partially spherical basic form having a midpoint (M) as well as an internal radius (ri) and an external radius (ra) in the region of the first housing edge and the second housing edge, wherein the rule (ri)>=(ra) applies to the ratio between the internal radius (ri) of the first housing edge and the external radius diameter (ra) of the second housing edge.

7. The mixer according to claim 6, wherein one or more of the inlet opening and the outflow opening is/are formed by one or more recesses which are optionally formed as a swirl flap, wherein one or more of the inlet opening and the outflow opening has/have a hydraulic cross-section (Q1, Q2) which varies with respect to the course of the pipe axis of the inlet pipe or the pipe axis of the outlet pipe, and wherein the hydraulic cross-section (Q1, Q2) increases with respect to a direction of flow of the exhaust gas.

8. The mixer according to claim 7, wherein a mixing element is provided with respect to a direction of flow of the exhaust gas downstream of the outlet pipe, wherein an additive supply unit for introducing an additive into the housing or into the inlet pipe or into the outlet pipe is provided, wherein the inlet pipe or outlet pipe has a conical design, and wherein the first housing part and the second housing part are designed: a) as a housing shell or b) as a housing bottom, wherein a housing casing is provided, which forms the housing together with the at least two housing parts.

9. The mixer according to claim 1, wherein at least one additional formation having a center axis is provided within the first housing edge and the second housing edge, said center axis being positioned at an angle with respect to the center axis of at least one of the at least two formations, wherein the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe has a L-shaped, T-shaped or a Y-shaped basic form.

10. The mixer according to claim 1, wherein the first housing edge and the second housing edge form a dividing plane (E) formed point-symmetrically with respect to a perpendicular (N) of the dividing plane (E) or formed axisymmetrically with respect to a straight line (G) of the dividing plane (E).

11. The mixer according to claim 10, wherein the first housing part and the second housing part have a partially cylindrical basic form having a center axis (b) or a partially spherical basic form having a midpoint (M) as well as an internal radius (ri) and an external radius (ra) in the region of the first housing edge and the second housing edge, wherein the rule (ri)>=(ra) applies to the ratio between the internal radius (ri) of the first housing edge and the external radius (ra) of the second housing edge.

12. The mixer according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the inlet opening and the outflow opening is/are formed by one or more recesses which are optionally formed as a swirl flap.

13. The mixer according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the inlet opening and the outflow opening has/have a hydraulic cross-section (Q1, Q2) which varies with respect to the course of the pipe axis of the inlet pipe or the pipe axis of the outlet pipe.

14. The mixer according to claim 13, wherein the hydraulic cross-section (Q1, Q2) increases with respect to a direction of flow of the exhaust gas.

15. The mixer according to claim 1, wherein a mixing element is provided with respect to a direction of flow of the exhaust gas downstream of the outlet pipe.

16. The mixer according to claim 1, wherein an additive supply unit for introducing an additive into the housing or into the inlet pipe or into the outlet pipe is provided.

17. The mixer according to claim 1, wherein the inlet pipe or outlet pipe has a conical design.

18. The mixer according to claim 1, wherein the first housing part and the second housing part are designed a) as a housing shell or b) as a housing bottom, wherein a housing casing is provided, which forms the housing together with the at least two housing parts.

19. A system consisting of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine having a mixer according to claim 1.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein a muffler housing is provided, wherein the mixer is at least partially integrated into the muffler housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages and details of the invention are explained in the claims and in the specification, and illustrated in the figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1a shows a partial view of the mixer 1 with the inlet pipe and outlet pipe 2, 3 in the lower housing shell 4.1;

(3) FIG. 1b shows a view in accordance with FIG. 1a with a rotated arrangement of the inlet pipe 2;

(4) FIG. 2a shows a lateral view of the mixer 1 in accordance with FIG. 1 with the two housing shells 4.1, 4.2;

(5) FIG. 2b shows a lateral view in accordance with FIG. 1b;

(6) FIG. 3a shows another embodiment in a partial view in accordance with FIG. 1a, 1b with an additional formation 6.5 for the inlet pipe 2;

(7) FIG. 3b shows another embodiment in a partial view in accordance with FIG. 3a with positioning of the outlet pipe 3 about the angle ;

(8) FIGS. 4a, b show a perspective view of the mixer 1 from above with an axisymmetrical configuration of the housing flanges 4a, 4b and the outlet pipe 3 in a rotated configuration;

(9) FIGS. 5a, b show a lateral view in accordance with FIGS. 4a, b;

(10) FIGS. 6a, b show an embodiment example in accordance with FIGS. 4a, b, but with a point-symmetrical configuration of the housing flanges 4a, 4b and the inlet pipe 3 in a swiveled configuration;

(11) FIGS. 7a, b show a further embodiment of the point-symmetrical configuration with circular housing flanges 4a, 4b in various positions S1, S2;

(12) FIGS. 8a, b show an embodiment with a partially cylindrical basic form F in the view from above with a swivel angle ;

(13) FIGS. 9a, b show a cross-sectional view in accordance with FIG. 8a, b;

(14) FIGS. 10a, b show an embodiment with a partially spherical basic form F in the cross-sectional view and application of the swivel angles and ;

(15) FIGS. 11a, b show a view in accordance with FIGS. 10a, b from above;

(16) FIGS. 12a, b show an inlet and an outlet pipe 2, 3 in a conical configuration;

(17) FIG. 13 shows an embodiment as a winding housing;

(18) FIG. 14 shows an exhaust system 9 with an integrated mixer 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(19) A mixer 1 shown in FIG. 1a has a housing 4 with a first housing part 4.1 designed as a housing shell, in which housing part four formations 6.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.2 are provided, wherein an inlet pipe 2 is arranged in a position R1 in the formations 6.1, 6.1 and an outlet pipe 3 is arranged in the position R1 in the formations 6.2, 6.2. The respective pipe 2, 3 has bearing points 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, via which said pipe is mounted in the respective formation. In accordance with FIG. 2a, the mixer 1 is sealed by a second housing part 4.2 which is also designed as a housing shell, which is not shown in the illustration in accordance with FIG. 1a. The housing part 4.2 has the corresponding formations 6.3, 6.4, 6.3, 6.4. The inlet pipe 2 has a plurality of recesses 2a, 2b designed as a perforation in the region of an inner part 2.2, wherein a hydraulic cross-section Q of the perforation 2a is smaller than that of the perforation 2b. For the purpose of connection to an exhaust pipe which is not shown in more detail, the inlet pipe 2 is routed outwardly via the respective formation 6.1, 6.3. In addition, the outlet pipe 3 is mounted via the recesses 6.2, 6.4 and also has an outflow opening 3.3 in the region of an inner part 3.2. The outflow opening 3.3 is formed from a plurality of recesses 3a, 3b which are, in turn, designed as a swirl flap. An injection nozzle 5 for additives as well as a further mixing element 8 are provided outside the housing 4.

(20) For the purpose of connecting the first housing shell 4.1, said housing shell has a first housing edge 4a which can be brought at least partially into contact in accordance with FIG. 2a with a housing edge 4b of the second housing shell 4.2. At the point where the housing edges 4a, 4b can be brought into contact opposite one another, these form a dividing plane E for the housing 4. Both the inlet pipe 2 and the outlet pipe 3 have pipe axes 2.1, 3.1 which are aligned coaxially to a center axis 6a, 6b of the respective pair of formations 6.1, 6.3 and 6.2, 6.4.

(21) According to the embodiment example in accordance with FIG. 1b, the inlet pipe 2, in contrast to the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 1a, is rotated by 180. The inlet pipe 2 is located in a position R2, whilst the outlet pipe 3 remains in the position R1. The inlet pipe 2 has diameters D of the same size, in the region of its bearing points 2.4, 2.5, i.e. in the region of the respective formation 6.1, 6.3, so that said inlet pipe can easily be rotated by 180. The two housing shells 4.1, 4.2 remain in the same relative position S1 to one another in accordance with FIG. 2b. The same can also be used for the outlet pipe.

(22) It is also possible in principle for the outlet pipe 3 and/or the two pipes 2, 3 to be swiveled or rotated, in order to take account of the respective installation conditions.

(23) According to the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 3a, the housing 4 has one additional formation 6.5 which is merely shown here in the first housing shell 4.1. The inlet pipe 2 is mounted in this embodiment both in the formations 6.1, 6.3 and in the formation 6.5. It is T-shaped in its basic form and has, in addition to the perforated inner part 2.2, a connection nozzle 2.6 having a center axis 6c which is routed externally via the formation 6.5.

(24) According to the embodiment example in accordance with FIG. 3b, the center axis 6b of the formations 6.2, 6.4 is positioned opposite the center axis 6a at an angle . For the purpose of adjusting to the installation situation, swiveling of the inlet pipe or outlet pipe 2, 3 in the housing 4 or within the respective housing shell 4.1, 4.2 can, in particular, be guaranteed.

(25) According to the embodiment example in accordance with FIGS. 4a to 11b, the pipes 2, 3 are mounted, unlike the embodiment examples in accordance with FIG. 1a to FIG. 3b, within rim holes 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 in the respective housing shell 4.1, 4.2. As can be seen in FIG. 5a, the inlet pipe 2 is arranged in the lower housing shell 4.2, whilst the outlet pipe 3 is located in the upper housing shell 4.1. Both the upper housing shell 4.1 and the lower housing shell 4.2 are respectively located in a position S1. The center axes 7a, 7b of the rim holes are arranged coaxially to the pipe center axes 2.1, 3.1.

(26) The inlet pipe 2 is mounted within the rim holes 7.2, 7.4, whilst the outlet pipe 3 is mounted within the rim holes 7.1, 7.3. The two housing parts 4.1, 4.2 have, in turn, a housing edge 4a, which is not shown in more detail, which forms the dividing plane E. This housing edge 4a is formed axisymmetrically with respect to a straight line G and has a basic form F which is shown here by way of example as being rectangular. Due to this basic form F, as can be seen in the embodiment example in accordance with FIG. 4b in conjunction with FIG. 5b, the two housing shells 4.1, 4.2 can be swiveled by 180, whilst the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe 2, 3 remain in the respective shell 4.2, 4.1.

(27) In accordance with FIG. 4b, 5b, the housing shell 4.1, starting from the embodiment in FIG. 4a, 5a, has been swiveled from the position S1 into the position S2.

(28) According to the embodiment example in accordance with FIG. 6a, the housing edge 4a, which is not shown in more detail, is square, and is therefore formed point-symmetrically with respect to a perpendicular N of the dividing plane E, so that the two housing shells 4.1, 4.2 can be swiveled by 90. According to the embodiments in accordance with FIG. 6a, 6b, the swiveling is effected towards the right by 90. Further swiveling possibilities accordingly by 180 or 270 or 90 are of course also possible.

(29) In accordance with FIG. 6a, the first housing shell 4.1 is located in the position S1 and the second housing shell 4.2 is located in the position S1. In the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 6b, the first housing shell 4.1 is located in a position S2 and the second housing shell 4.2 is located in the position S1. Consequently, the two housing shells 4.1, 4.2 are swiveled by the angle by 90.

(30) According to the embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 7a, 7b, the housing 4 or the edge 4a is not square, as shown in FIGS. 6a, 6b, but is designed to be circular. Due to the circular design, the two housing shells 4.1, 4.2 can be swiveled by any angle .

(31) According to the embodiment example in accordance with FIGS. 8a, 8b or FIGS. 9a, 9b, the housing shell 4.1, 4.2 has a partially cylindrical basic form F with a cylinder axis A in the region of the respective housing edge 4a, 4b. The first housing shell 4.1 has an external radius ra, which is greater or equal to an internal radius ri of the second housing shell 4.2, resulting in a cylindrical close sliding fit between the two housing shells 4.1, 4.2. Thanks to this close sliding fit, the two housing shells 4.1, 4.2 can be smoothly swiveled relative to one another by an angle . There is no longer a joint dividing plane E. Rather, each housing shell 4.1, 4.2 has a connection plane E, E which is spanned by the housing edge.

(32) According to the embodiment examples in accordance with FIGS. 10a, 10b as well as FIGS. 11a, 11b, the two housing shells 4.1, 4.2 have a partially spherical basic form F having a midpoint M in the region of the housing edge 4a, 4b. The partially spherical basic form F of the first housing shell 4.1 has an external radius ra, which is greater or equal to the internal radius ri of the second housing shell 4.2. This produces a partially spherical close sliding fit having a midpoint M between the two housing shells 4.1, 4.2. As can be seen in the embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 10b, 11b, the two housing shells 4.1, 4.2 can both be smoothly swiveled relative to one another both by the angle and by the angles and , i.e. about all three spatial or swiveling axes a, b, c. Swiveling about the swivel axis c or by the angle is not shown.

(33) According to the embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 12a, 12b, the inlet pipe 2 or the outlet pipe 3 is designed with a conical basic form F, wherein an inlet opening 2.3 or the outlet opening 3.3 is limited to the respective inner part 2.2, 3.2.

(34) According to the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 13, the housing 4 is designed as a winding housing with a first and a second housing bottom 4.1, 4.2 as well as a housing casing 4.3. Similarly to the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 1a, both the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe 2, 3 can be arranged within the rim holes 7.1, 7.2. The respective position R1, R2 can also be exchanged.

(35) In accordance with FIG. 14, an exhaust system 9 having a muffler housing 9.1 and an exhaust pipe 9.2 is provided, wherein the mixer 1 is completely integrated into the muffler housing 9.1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(36) 1. Mixer 2 Inlet pipe 2.1 Pipe axis 2.2 Inner part 2.3 Inlet opening, perforation 2.4 Bearing point 2.5 Bearing point 2.6 Connection nozzle 2a Recess 2b Recess 3 Outlet pipe 3.1 Pipe axis 3.2 Inner part 3.3 Outflow opening 3.4 Bearing point 3.5 Bearing point 3a Recess, swirl flap 3b Recess, swirl flap 4 Housing 4.1 First housing part, first housing shell, first housing bottom 4a First housing edge, connection flange 4.2 Second housing part, second housing shell, second housing bottom 4b Second housing edge, connection flange 4.3 Housing casing 5 Additive supply unit, injection nozzle 6.1 Formation 6.1 Formation 6.2 Formation 6.3 Formation 6.4 Formation 6.5 Formation 6a Center axis 6b Center axis 6c Center axis 7.1 Rim hole 7.2 Rim hole 7.3 Rim hole 7.4 Rim hole 7a Center axis 7b Center axis 8 Mixing element 9 Exhaust system 9.1 Muffler 9.2 Exhaust pipe Angle Angle Angle A Cylinder axis a Swivel axis b Swivel axis; center axis c Swivel axis D Diameter E Dividing plane, connection plane E Connection plane F Basic form of 4a, 4b G Straight line of E M Midpoint N Perpendicular to E Q Cross-section, hydraulic R1 Position R2 Position ri Internal radius of F ra External radius of F S1 Position S2 Position