EP2855870A1

EP2855870A1 - Container having a heating device for a tank for storing a liquid additive

Info

Publication number: EP2855870A1
Application number: EP13726159.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rolf BRÜCK; Jan Hodgson; Sven Schepers
Original assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
Current assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
Priority date: 2012-05-25
Filing date: 2013-05-24
Publication date: 2015-04-08
Also published as: JP2015520823A; US20150075141A1; US9476336B2; WO2013174986A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) for a tank (2) for storing a liquid additive (3), comprising a housing (4) having a heating device (5), wherein at least one apparatus (6) that can be driven is provided in order to promote convection in the housing (4). In particular, the invention further relates to a motor vehicle (11), comprising a tank (2) for storing a liquid additive (3) and an exhaust gas system (14) having an adding device (15) for the liquid additive (3), wherein such a container (1) is inserted into the tank wall (3) and a plurality of functional components (10) for conveying the liquid additive (3) from the tank (2) to the adding device (15) through the container (1) is provided therein.

Description

The invention relates to a container for a tank for storing a liquid additive, comprising a housing with a heating device. Such a container is used in particular for receiving functional components for conveying and / or metering and / or monitoring of the liquid additive on the way out of the tank through the container towards a consumer. The invention finds particular application in a motor vehicle provided with a tank for storing a liquid additive, the container being integrated therein into the tank.

It is to be regarded as known that exhaust aftertreatment processes are used in which liquid additive is added to the exhaust gas. This should be achieved in particular that the pollutants contained in the exhaust gas are implemented as completely as possible and efficient.

For example, it is known to supply the exhaust gas with an oxidizing agent (for example fuel or hydrocarbon). This additive can be used to react directly with constituents of the exhaust gas and thus convert pollutants. But it is also possible that this oxidizing agent is used to convert environmental conditions in the exhaust system in a desired, suitable for the implementation of pollutants state. Thus, fuel or hydrocarbon can be supplied to an oxidation catalyst, wherein due to an exothermic reaction in the oxidation catalyst, the temperature of the exhaust gas in the exhaust system can be significantly increased. This is used in particular for the regeneration of a diesel particulate filter. Furthermore, it is known to supply a reducing agent to the exhaust gas. Even if it is fundamentally possible to introduce solid or gaseous reducing agent into the exhaust gas However, delivery systems and metering systems have proven to be particularly suitable, which accomplish a liquid supply of the reducing agent. For example, the process of selective catalytic reduction is known (SCR: Selective Catalytic Reduction). In this case, nitrogen oxide compounds are reacted in the exhaust gas with the aid of the reducing agent. For this purpose, in particular ammonia or ammonia-forming substances can be used. A widely used reductant for this purpose is urea-water solution. A 32.5% urea-water solution is known under the trade name AdBlue®. This liquid additive is then first added to the exhaust gas and then passed through a suitable catalyst, in which then (among other things) the desired chemical conversion takes place.

Especially with regard to series production in the automotive industry, no particularly inexpensive and simple design of a delivery module or dosing module for these additives has yet been found. For reasons of space and to avoid damage in freezing, it has already been proposed to arrange such a dosing module, for example, in the bottom area of a tank for storing the liquid additive. In order to facilitate the retrofitting of already known systems or to allow separate production steps here, such conveyor modules or metering modules are housed in a separate container. This can be permanently or detachably connected to the tank.

Since, for example, liquid additive, such as urea-water solution, already freezes at temperatures around -11 ° C, heating systems have been proposed to accomplish a rapid thawing of the liquid additive in the tank and / or a connected delivery line. Thus, the desired exhaust gas purification method should already be available soon after engine start of a motor vehicle and / or damage to the components required for storage, delivery and / or addition of the liquid additive should be avoided. As a heater, liquid heaters (eg, heat exchangers that interact with the engine cooling system), electric heaters, radiant heaters, and combinations thereof have been proposed in this technical field. However, the fastest possible and possibly even as uniform heating in the container could not be achieved satisfactorily. In particular, the proposed systems for heating the container are technically complex, cost-intensive and / or difficult to control or to control.

In light of the situation described above, it is an object of the present invention, at least partially to solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, a container for a tank for storing a liquid additive is to be specified, which allows a cost-effective, simple and efficient heating. Furthermore, a particularly advantageous and space-saving integration of a heating system in a motor vehicle to be proposed.

These objects are achieved with a container according to the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent formulated claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful manner. The description, in particular in conjunction with the figures, explains the invention and provides further combinations of features and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The container for a tank for storing a liquid additive comprises a housing with a heating device, wherein at least one drivable apparatus for promoting convection is provided in the housing. The container is in particular designed so that it is at least partially and preferably almost completely contained in a tank for storing the liquid additive. tivs can be recorded. The tank volume should be reduced by the integration of the container into the tank, for example, a maximum of 20%, preferably a maximum of 10%. The tank is in particular a tank for storing a reducing agent, in particular urea-water solution. However, this could also be used for oxidants and other liquid additives. The container can be made of plastic. In any case, the tank should be durable and designed for permanent storage of the liquid additive. The housing can be made in one or more parts. It is possible that, for example, a pot-shaped housing and an additional container bottom are provided, which are detachably or non-detachably connected to one another. The housing may be made of plastic and / or metal. In any case, in the region of the housing that is in contact with the interior of the tank, the housing should be resistant to the liquid additive. The container further comprises at least one heating device, which is arranged in particular in the housing or the container space formed by the housing. In principle, the heating device can be any of the types of heating devices mentioned at the beginning. In this case, it is preferred that the heating device occupy only a small portion of the container space itself, for example less than 20% of the container space or even less than 10% of the container space.

Furthermore, a drivable convection conveying apparatus is provided in the housing. In particular, the drivable apparatus has the function of distributing the heat generated in the housing by convection by means of convection. It is preferred that the drivable apparatus itself is not in direct contact with the heating device, but distributed by influencing the air flow inside the container, the heat emitted by the heater by means of convection as evenly as possible. A convection is understood to mean in particular (the targeted) movement of air in the container. Air is therefore moved by means of the drivable apparatus towards the heating device, so that it is heated on contact with the heating device. can. The heated air then flows, also motivated by the drivable apparatus and / or flow guide elements, into other (predetermined) areas of the container clearance. In this case, the heated air comes into contact with the housing and / or positioned in the housing components, so that it can be done quickly warming up here.

For this to be done effectively, the apparatus can be activated and deactivated as needed. In this respect, the apparatus is designed and / or set up so that it can be driven (and moved) at predetermined or desired times. Therefore, the phases in which the convection is promoted in the housing, can be specified precisely.

With such a device, the problems described above can be at least partially alleviated. At the same time, a rapid heating of the container and / or the surrounding area of the container in the tank can be achieved.

The apparatus of the container may be used (in addition) for the effective cooling of at least one component in the container. A component which may require cooling, for example, is a pump for conveying and / or metering of liquid additive. During operation, such a pump can become very hot. This heat can be removed with the help of the apparatus of the pump and be derived for example via the housing in the liquid additive in a tank.

According to a preferred embodiment variant of the container, at least one inherently closed flow path exists in the housing, along which the apparatus can generate a circulating air flow in particular. The circulating air flow is the convection promoted by the apparatus. The flow path is formed by free spaces within the housing and possibly by corresponding flow guide elements. Free spaces are areas in the housing in which no components or functional components are arranged. These therefore provide space for the flow path. The flow path preferably leads to the heating device and to the areas to be heated (in particular the functional components) in the container or in the housing.

The flow path preferably leads along a wall of the housing. Thus, the air flow over the wall of the housing can give off heat to the liquid additive in the tank. The housing may be designed and / or used at least in sections as a flow guiding element. The wall of the housing is preferably cylindrically shaped at least in sections and the flow is continuously directed onto a path along the wall by the curvature of the cylindrical shape of the wall. According to one embodiment, there are two closed flow paths in the housing, each extending along a portion of the housing wall. At least one first deflection point is provided on the housing wall, at which the flow paths are directed away from the housing wall into an inner region of the housing. In the inner region of the housing, a heat exchange between the air flow and the functional components takes place. There is at least a second deflection point, at which the flow paths are deflected back to the wall of the housing. The first deflection point and the second deflection point are each formed by means of a first deflection means or by means of a second deflection means. The deflecting divert the flow at the deflection. The deflection means are flow guides. In the region along the housing wall and / or in the inner region of the housing, the flow paths extend at least along an apparatus which is designed to drive an air flow along the flow paths or to promote convection along the flow paths. In addition, the flow paths in the region along the housing wall and / or in the inner region of the housing along the heater, so that a heat exchange between an air flow along the flow paths and the heater can take place.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the container, the device has a housing which is at least partially double-walled (with two walls). In this case, there is preferably an outer wall which separates the housing or the container in a fluid-tight manner from the tank, and an inner wall which extends at least in regions parallel to the outer wall. Preferably, a gap-shaped intermediate space is provided between the outer wall and the inner wall, through which an air flow can flow. The outer wall and the inner wall are preferably spaced apart by at least one spacer element. The spacer elements may also promote heat transfer between the inner wall and the outer wall and the airflow. In particular, the spacer elements can act as baffle elements, to which the air flow in the intermediate space meets and to which the air flow therefore has a particularly good heat transfer. The apparatus is preferably arranged to urge the airflow generated by the apparatus into the space through at least one inflow opening in the inner wall. A flow path preferably proceeds from the apparatus through the at least one inflow opening into the intermediate space and then, starting from the intermediate space through at least one outflow opening, back into an interior space of the housing. This interior is bounded by the inner wall of the housing. For example, a heater may be disposed between the apparatus and the inflow port of the inner wall of the housing such that the air delivered by the apparatus immediately after being heated by the heater enters the gap and liquid additive in the tank housing the housing surrounds, warmed up. Thus, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of heating devices and apparatuses for promoting convection in a described container, wherein these each can form partial or independent flows along different flow paths. These different flow paths can each be set up to selectively flow to certain areas and / or functional components within the container or the housing in order to heat these areas and / or functional components particularly quickly.

The flow rate of the air along the flow paths may be adjusted by suitable design of the space available for the flow paths within the housing. The larger the available free cross-section, the lower the flow velocity. The functional components and flow paths are preferably arranged in the housing so that the heat energy generated by the heater (practically) is completely released to the air flow, and the air flow in turn (virtually) the heat energy to the Funktionskomp- components and the housing emits.

Particularly preferred is a container, wherein the housing has an inner wall and an outer wall, which form a gap, in which at least one partially closed flow path for a convection flow is formed.

Such a design of flow paths within the housing enables a particularly effective transfer of the heat emanating from the heating device to the functional components and to the liquid additive in the tank.

According to a further development, it is also proposed that the at least one drivable apparatus comprises a blower and a blower motor connected thereto. In this embodiment, the drivable apparatus can be provided particularly cost-effective and technically simple. Thus, for example, it is possible that the fan motor is activated at the desired times via a control unit and (later) deactivated again. For example, the fan may comprise a type of rotor with which the air in the container is moved. In particular, the fan may be oriented such that the air moved therefrom is moved toward the heater. In principle, several blowers can be provided with one or one blower motor each. However, with a view to cost reduction, it is preferable to use a single blower with a single blower motor. It is very particularly preferred that the container has only a single drivable apparatus.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the heating device in the housing has a single, electrically operable heating element. An electrically operable heating element can also be activated and deactivated at predetermined times. This takes place, for example, on the basis of the ohmic resistance heating. A known and here particularly preferably to be used electrically operable heating elements is a so-called PTC heating element (PTC: Positive Temperature Coefficient). The embodiments of such PTC heating elements have been known for a long time, so that additional information is readily available to those skilled in the art.

A container is considered to be advantageous in which the heating device protrudes at least partially completely freely into the housing. Thus, the heating device can be designed, for example, in the manner of an at least partially freestanding flange, an at least partially freestanding column or the like. It is obvious that such a heating element is connected at least to the container bottom and / or the housing in order to withstand a safe positioning of the heating device even under high dynamic load (such as during driving in a motor vehicle). Likewise, power lines, control lines and the like are realized via this contact. The at least partially However, completely free in the housing projecting design of the heating element allows the moving of the drivable apparatus toward the heater air over a large area flow the heating element and / or even flow around. As a result, an intensive contact of the air in the container is made possible with the heater, so that they can absorb heat quickly and then distributed. Preferably, at least 50% of the peripheral surface of the heater is free of internals, so that a direct contact is made possible to the ambient air in the container space. This proportion may preferably also be at least 60% or even at least 80%.

In addition, it is proposed to additionally provide in the container a plurality of functional components for conveying the liquid additive out of the tank and through the container. In this case, the container is used in particular for receiving a delivery module and / or dosing module for the liquid additive. At the same time, the delivery module or dosing module can remove liquid additive from the tank at predetermined times and / or in predetermined amounts and lead it out of the tank via the container. Examples of such functional components are: a delivery line, an inlet (for example a section of the delivery line via which the liquid additive is conveyed from the tank to a pump), a drain (for example a part of the delivery line, with which the liquid exhaust gas is led out of the container by a pump), a return line (eg a part of the delivery line, with which liquid additive in the container is led back into the tank), a pump, a filter Sensor, a control unit and the like. In particular, the container is designed and arranged such that an air flow is generated by means of the drivable apparatus, which initially leads past the heating device and subsequently flows through at least a majority of the functional components in the container, so that they can at least partially absorb the heat entrained with the air flow , Consequently, these functional components are heated by means of convection in the housing. It is particularly preferred that the housing is at least partially made of plastic. The use of a plastic housing has the advantage that the manufacturing costs can be reduced and weight can be saved. In the case of the container proposed here, it should also be considered that the distribution of heat within the container due to convection no longer makes it imperative that many thermal bridges are formed for heat conduction within the container.

It is also considered advantageous that the housing has at least one inner rib. Optionally, a plurality of ribs may be provided. The rib is designed in particular as a (passive) Heizrippe and thus serves in particular the intensive contacting of the heated air. The rib may be adapted to receive heat by convection and possibly pass this heat into other areas of the housing. The rib is projecting from the housing inner wall, that is, in particular projecting into the free space of the container. The rib could also be referred to as a wing, web, projection or the like, wherein the surface is many times larger than the cross section. Orientation, shape and / or material of the rib can be adapted for specific purposes.

It is particularly advantageous if the ribs are aligned in accordance with the flow direction of the air in the housing. The ribs should run in particular parallel to the flow direction, so that on the one hand a particularly good heat transfer between the ribs and the air is achieved, and on the other hand, the flow resistance caused by the ribs is as low as possible. The ribs should in particular be aligned parallel to the direction of flow of the air or the convection. This can be achieved, for example, by ribs on the housing, which extend at least in sections in a circular manner along the inside of the (cylindrical) housing. When the air circulates (driven by the apparatus) according to a flow path that runs at least in sections along the inside of the housing, a especially good heat transfer between the air and ribs on the inside of the housing possible. At the same time, such circular fins may form portions of a flow path for the air through the housing. The flow is guided by the ribs along the wall of the housing.

The ribs increase the (inner) surface of the housing and thus facilitate the heat transfer from the inside to the outside. The ribs can be made of a material with particularly good thermal conductivity. In particular, it is possible that the ribs are made of a different material than the other housing. In addition, it is possible that the ribs extend through the housing and lead to an outside of the housing in a tank for the liquid additive, wherein the ribs have an increased thermal conductivity. Such fins can transfer heat particularly well into the liquid additive in the tank.

In addition, a motor vehicle is proposed here, which has a tank for storing a liquid additive. The tank has a tank wall which forms or limits a tank volume. Furthermore, the motor vehicle has an exhaust system with an adding device for the liquid additive. In addition, a container proposed here is inserted into the tank wall, with a plurality of functional components being provided therein for conveying the liquid additive out of the tank, through the container to the adding device. Thus, the motor vehicle is set up in particular for carrying out the initially described method for exhaust aftertreatment. The proposed system solution with a cost-effective and efficient heating for the container, the functional components and / or the tank is particularly noteworthy here.

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the embodiments illustrated in the figures are not intended to limit the invention. INS In particular, the features shown and explained in the figures may also be considered separately from each other and / or combined with other (individual) features of other figures, as far as this is technically not possible or is not explicitly referred to the togetherness of features as compelling , Accordingly, the person skilled in the art will find a multitude of possible combinations of the invention shown schematically and by way of example in the figures.

Show it:

1 is a partial perspective view of a container,

2 shows a schematic sectional view of a tank with a container, FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle with tank and exhaust system,

4 shows a schematic section through an embodiment variant of a housing for a container,

5 shows a schematic section through a further embodiment of a housing for a container,

6 shows a schematic section through yet a further embodiment variant of a housing for a container, and FIG

7 shows a schematic section through yet a further embodiment variant of a housing for a container.

Accordingly, Fig. 1 shows a container 1, for example, in a tank for storing the reducing agent, such as urea-water solution, can be used. The container 1 in this case comprises a pot-like, round in cross-section housing 4, which forms the peripheral surface and the lid. Below the container 1 is closed by a container bottom 20, wherein the container bottom 20 may, for example, be designed as a separate component which is detachably or permanently connected to the rest lent (cup-shaped) housing 4. Inside this container 1, the so-called container space of various functional components 10 for conveying the liquid additive from the tank through the container 1 is partially filled. These functional components 10 are here shown by dashed lines, to indicate that they can optionally be arranged individually or in any meaningful combination with each other in the container clearance 25.

In the container space, a delivery module or dosing module is indicated here by way of example. Thus, the liquid additive is removed via an inlet 17 from the tank. This can be done by a corresponding suction of the connected thereto pump 21. Starting from the pump, the delivery line 16 continues up to a valve 29. From this valve 29 can be predetermined as needed, whether the liquid additive, which is now under pressure, on to a sequence 18, for example. Towards an exhaust system, and / or to a return 19 is conveyed, via which the liquid additive is now introduced back into the tank. For the controlled operation of this delivery module or metering module, a control unit 24 may be provided which regulates the operation of the pump, the valve and / or other functional components via signal lines indicated here. This control unit 24 can also perform this operation depending on one or more sensors 23. Thus, as a sensor 23, for example, a pressure sensor for the pressure of the liquid additive in the delivery line 16 and / or a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the liquid additive in the delivery line 16 and / or for determining the temperature of a functional component or in the container 25 free space be used. In addition, a single heating device 5, which is embodied here in the manner of an electrically operable heating element 9 (for example a PTC heating element), is shown centrally. The electrically operable heating element 9 can also be activated as required by the control unit 24 and deactivated in this embodiment variant. It can be clearly seen that the electrically operable heating element 9 predominantly protrudes freely into the housing 4, so that here an air flow (indicated by the arrows) can be brought into good contact with the electrically operable heating element 9. In order to achieve a convection and thus a distribution of the air in the housing 4, a drivable apparatus 6 is further provided, which is exemplified here with a blower 7 and an associated blower motor 8. In this case, too, it is possible for the control unit 24 to actuate or immobilize the blower 7 via the blower motor 8 as required or at predetermined times.

The function is now in particular such that during operation of the apparatus 6, the air in the container free space 25 is moved towards the heating element 9, which is indicated by a vertically patterned arrow. Upon contact of the air flow with the heating device 5, the air is heated and can then be fed to remote areas of the housing 4 and / or one or more functional components 10. For this purpose, in / on the heater 5 and / or in the container free space 25 Strömungsleitelemente 28 (baffles or the like) may be provided to realize a directional distribution or promotion of convection in the container 1. The air flow generated by the drivable apparatus 6 can be divided as desired and forwarded in different directions. The heated air flow is also shown by arrows, which has a horizontal pattern. 2 schematically shows a tank 2 for storing the liquid additive 3. The tank 2 is formed by a tank wall 13 which, for example, is made of plastic. is done. The tank wall 13 further defines the so-called tank volume 12. The tank wall 13 further has an opening 30, here in the region of the bottom, where the container 1 is inserted there and fluid-tightly connected to the tank wall 13. Thus, a large part of the housing 4 of the container 1 extends into the tank volume 12 of the tank 2. A (cylindrical) filter 22 is provided around the container 1, wherein the functional components 10 remove the additive 3 in a region of the tank 2 in which (practically only) filtered additive 3 is present. In principle, the filter 22 can also be integrated into the container or the delivery line located therein.

FIG. 2 also shows that a plurality of heating devices 5 can be arranged in the container 1. These are here, for example, flatly positioned in the manner of strips on the inside of the housing and / or a functional component. It is further exemplified here that a single drivable apparatus 6 is arranged and arranged in the container so that it causes an air flow over a plurality of heating devices 5.

Schematically illustrated in Fig. 2 are also a plurality of ribs 33 in the manner of a (passive) Heizrippe, which serves the intensive contacting of the heated air. The ribs 33 are arranged, for example, distributed on the inside of the housing 4, in particular concentrated at the point to which the air heated by the fan 7 is directed.

FIG. 3 now shows a motor vehicle 11, for example a passenger car or a lorry, wherein the exhaust gas generated by an internal combustion engine 27, in particular a diesel engine, is passed through an exhaust system 14 along an exhaust gas flow direction 31. In particular, for carrying out the so-called S CR process, the exhaust gas is added (finely divided or with a delivery gas) to the liquid additive. If a sufficient distribution of the additive in the exhaust gas and / or a sufficient conversion of urea-water solution into ammonia is realized, this mixture is a suitable exhaust aftertreatment unit (such as an SCR catalyst) 26 supplied. This can be carried out, for example, in the manner of a coated honeycomb body. This can be provided in particular with a suitable coating. As the additive-waste gas mixture flows through the catalyst 26, the desired chemical and / or thermal processes can be motivated.

The liquid additive is stored in a tank 2 and metered by means of the functional component (s) provided in the container 1 and via a suitable delivery line 16 to the adding device 15. The amount and / or the time of addition may be predetermined by a controller 32, wherein in particular operating parameters of the internal combustion engine 27, the exhaust system 14 and / or the conveyor system (tank, container, conveyor line, adding device, etc.) take place. The metering can take place via the functional components of the container 1 and / or the adding device 15.

The. Fig. 4 shows a horizontal section through a housing 4 for a container 1. Schematically shown is the apparatus 6 in the housing 4, with which the convection in the housing 4 can be promoted. According to the convection, air flows from the operation of the apparatus 6 in the housing 4, which circulate in accordance with the closed flow paths 41. These flow paths 41 extend at least in sections along a wall of the housing 4. The air flow is thus in direct heat exchange with the housing 4. In the housing 4, a first deflection means 42 is arranged, which directs the flow paths 41 away from the housing 4 in an inner space 44 of the housing 4 (first deflection point 45). In this interior, not shown here functional components can be arranged. The flow paths 41 extend from the first deflection means 42 through the inner space 44 and are then guided back to the housing 4 with the second deflection means 43 (second deflection point 46), so that the flow paths 41 result in self-contained paths. Run in the area of the interior 44 the flow paths 41 past an apparatus 6, which promotes the convention or the air flow or drives. The apparatus 6 comprises a fan 7 and a fan motor 8, which drives the fan 7. In addition, the flow paths 41 extend in the interior 44 along a heating device 5. The heating device 5 may comprise an electrically heatable heating element 9 and additional heating ribs 34, via which the heat of the heating element 9 is discharged. The heating device 5 is preferably designed such that a good heat transfer to the air flow and at the same time the flow of the heater 5 as low as possible flow resistance occurs. Preferably, the apparatus 6 presses the air flow directly onto the heating device 5, without a deflection of the air flow being provided between them. This improves the heat transfer.

The. FIG. 5 shows a horizontal section through a further embodiment variant of a housing 4 for a container 1. In this embodiment, two flow paths 41 are provided in the housing 4, which are provided with the aid of a first deflection means 42 and a second deflection means 43 corresponding to those in FIG 4 flow paths are guided through the housing 4. To save space in the interior 44 of the housing 4, two apparatuses 6 are provided according to FIG. 5, each comprising a fan 7 and a fan motor 8 and are arranged on the portions of the flow paths 41 on the wall of the housing 4. The heating device 5 is designed as a baffle element, on which the apparatuses 6 press the air flow. The heating device 5 has an electrically operable heating element 9 and heating fins 34, which distribute the heat produced by the electrically operable heating element 9. At least the first deflection means 42 or the second deflection means 43 may be designed as a structural unit together with the heating device 5.

6 shows a vertical schematic section through a housing 4 for a container 1. This housing 4 has on its inside (for example substantially horizontal and / or helical running) ribs 33, which are the Limit flow paths 41 which extend through the housing 4 along the wall of the housing 4. These ribs 33 align the flow paths 41 along the wall of the housing 4. In addition, the ribs 33 provide improved heat transfer between the air circulating along the flow paths 41 and the housing 4.

The. Fig. 7 shows a horizontal section through another embodiment of a housing 4 for a container 1. In this embodiment, the housing 4 consists of an inner wall 38 and an outer wall 39. The outer wall 39 closes the housing 4 fluid-tight and stands with its outside in contact with the liquid additive (such as urea-water solution) when the housing 4 is inserted into a tank. The inner wall 38 and the outer wall 39 are spaced apart so that there is a gap 40 between the inner wall 38 and the outer wall 39. Spacer elements 35 can be provided which position the inner wall 38 and the outer wall 39 relative to one another and, if necessary, also serve to form flow paths. The inner wall 38 may be partially broken so that permeable connections from the gap 40 into the interior 44 of the housing 4 exist. In the housing 4, an apparatus 6 with a fan 7 and a fan motor 8 is arranged. This apparatus 6 is adapted to suck in an air flow from the inner space 44 and to lead into the intermediate space 40. For this purpose, the inner wall 38 has an inflow opening 36. The air flow is guided starting from the apparatus 6 through the inflow opening 36 and the intermediate space 40 and leaves the intermediate space 40 again at at least one outflow opening 37 in the inner wall 38. Through the inner space 44, the air flow then returns to the apparatus 6 a flow path 41 formed by the housing. Between the apparatus 6 and the inflow opening 36, a heating device 5 is arranged at which the air flow flows according to the flow path 41 along. The heating device 5 may comprise an electrically operable heating element 9 and heating fins 34, which heat the heat produced by the electrically operable heating element 9 effectively pass on to the airflow. On the outside of the housing 4 ribs 33 are provided, via which the heat can be transferred to the liquid additive in a tank. The embodiment variants shown here show preferred combinations of technical features, but they do not necessarily have to be combined with each other. Unless explicitly stated above, the technical features can be extracted from a figure and easily combined with other concepts / variants for the skilled person. This is particularly true in terms of design / arrangement / number of apparatus, flow paths, housing and heat transport measures (ribs, etc.).

Thus, the invention solves the problem initially posed to solve the problems described with reference to the prior art, at least partially. In particular, a container for a tank for storing a liquid additive such as urea-water solution has been specified, which allows cost-effective, simple and efficient heating. Furthermore, a particularly advantageous and space-saving integration of a heating system was shown in a motor vehicle.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 container

2 tank

3 additive

4 housing

5 heating device

6 apparatus

7 blowers

8 blower motor

9 electrically operable heating element

10 functional component

1 1 motor vehicle

12 tank volumes

13 tank wall

14 exhaust system

15 adding device

16 support line

17 inlet

18 process

19 return

20 container bottom

21 pump

22 filters

23 sensor

24 control unit

25 container free space

26 exhaust aftertreatment unit

27 internal combustion engine

28 flow guide Valve

opening

Exhaust gas flow direction

control

rib

Heating rib

Spacer element

Einströmö opening

Outflow opening inner wall

outer wall

gap

Flow path first deflection second deflection means

inner space

first deflection second deflection

Claims

claims

Container (1) for a tank (2) for storing a liquid additive (3) comprising a housing (4) with a heating device (5), at least one drivable device (6) for promoting convection in the housing (4) is provided.

Container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one drivable apparatus (6) comprises a fan (7) and a blower motor (8) connected thereto.

Container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating device (5) in the housing (4) has a single, electrically operable heating element (9).

Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating device (5) projects at least partially completely freely into the housing (4).

Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the container (1) additionally a plurality of Funktionskomponen- th (10) for conveying the liquid additive (3) from the tank (2) and through the container (1) is provided ,

Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (4) consists at least partially of plastic.

Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (4) has at least one inner rib (33).

Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (4) has an inner wall (38) and an outer wall (39) which NEN intermediate space (40) form, in which at least one partially closed flow path (41) is designed for a convection flow.

Motor vehicle (11), comprising a tank (2) for storing a liquid additive (3) with a tank wall (13) forming a tank volume (12) and an exhaust system (14) with an adding device (15) for the liquid additive (3). in which a container (1) according to one of the preceding claims is inserted into the tank wall (13) and contains therein a plurality of functional components (10) for conveying the liquid additive (3) from the tank (2) through the container (1). is provided to the adding device (15).