KR20010015597A - A honeycomb body structure with supporting sections - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a honeycomb structure having a metal housing (8) in which a honeycomb structure (1) having a plurality of channels (5) separated from each other by a dividing wall (6, 7) is arranged, the honeycomb structure comprising: The radial strength along the outer periphery U is provided, and has a correction layer 2 disposed in at least a portion of the outer periphery U between the housing 8 and the honeycomb structure 1, and the honeycomb structure ( The correction layer 2 in the outer circumferential direction U of 1) exerts a greater force on the honeycomb structure 1 in the radial direction R than outside the support region 3 of the remaining part of the outer circumferential region 4. With two or more supports 3, the supports 3 are arranged in an area where the honeycomb structure 1 has a greater radial strength. A step is taken to create a support 3 in each circumferential region of greater strength by means of support segments on the housing 8 on the correction layer 2 and / or by beads on the honeycomb structure 1. The present invention enables simple and robust installation of thin injection-type ceramic honeycomb structures, especially in metal housings.

Description

Honeycomb structure with support {A HONEYCOMB BODY STRUCTURE WITH SUPPORTING SECTIONS}

Utility Model Patent No. G 74 01 002 introduces a honeycomb structure having a housing in which a honeycomb structure having a difference in radial strength is disposed along its outer circumference, and having a correction layer between the housing and the honeycomb structure.

Honeycomb structures of this kind have a plurality of channels separated from each other by dividing walls. These channels consist of square, rectangular, or other polygonal cross sections. US-PS 3 853 485 describes various cross-sectional shapes.

Due to the arrangement of the channels within the surface area of the cross section of the honeycomb structure and the geometry of the channels, this kind of honeycomb structure differs in strength in the radially outward direction. This difference in strength of the honeycomb structure affects the fracture and elasticity of the honeycomb structure. WO 94/15712 introduces an increased elastic honeycomb structure, in which the elasticity does not vary from direction to direction. According to WO 94/15712, the honeycomb structure has dividing walls in at least one outer region, the dividing wall having a rigid support structure extending radially and / or circumferentially in a cross section throughout the honeycomb structure. It is arranged so as not to form.

Honeycomb structures of this kind, made of ceramic and / or metallic materials, are easily broken by forces applied to the honeycomb structure in the radial direction by the housing because the honeycomb structure is of uniform strength in the radial direction over its periphery. The advantage is that it is not.

The theoretical problem of a honeycomb structure in which the housing is destroyed by a force applied evenly to the honeycomb structure in the radial direction is solved by WO 94/15712.

The present invention relates to a honeycomb structure for a catalyst-carrier for purifying exhaust gas of a vehicle.

1 is a cross-sectional view through a first embodiment of a honeycomb structure.

2 is a sectional view through a first embodiment of the support of the correction layer;

3 is a sectional view through a second embodiment of the support of the correction layer;

4 is a sectional view through a second embodiment of a honeycomb structure;

5 is a sectional view through a third embodiment of a honeycomb structure;

On the basis of these, it is an object of the present invention to provide a honeycomb structure capable of preventing damage to catalyst carriers having different radial strengths over their periphery by forces applied radially by the housing.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a honeycomb structure having the features described in claim 1. Further developments and embodiments which can be used on their own or in combination with one another are described in the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the concept that the radial strength properties of the honeycomb structure, which differs along the outer circumference, can be utilized to promote stable retention in the housing, if a correction layer of a suitable configuration is disposed between the honeycomb structure and the housing. The correction layer disposed between the housing and the honeycomb structure has at least two supports in the circumferential direction of the honeycomb structure, and these supports exert greater force on the honeycomb structure in the radial direction than the honeycomb structure outside the support in the remainder of the circumferential region. Add. Here, the support of the correction layer is formed in the region where the honeycomb structure has greater radial strength. The force exerted by the housing on the honeycomb structure is essentially received in the support region and is also directed into the relatively rigid structure of the honeycomb structure. In the remainder of the outer circumferential region located between each adjacent support of the correction layer, only a small force is applied to the honeycomb structure or little force is applied. Due to the correction layer inside the housing, the honeycomb structure portion is substantially supported at two or more positions or regions.

This configuration of the honeycomb structure according to the invention makes it possible for the honeycomb structure not to be destroyed when the honeycomb structure is manufactured, ie during fitting into the housing. Another advantage of this configuration is that during operation of the honeycomb structure, the force generated as a result of thermal expansion is mainly received by the support, ie in the most stable direction of the honeycomb structure.

The honeycomb structure may have a metal and / or ceramic body. The channel cross section has a relatively simple contour, which results in the formation of direction dependent radial strength of the honeycomb structure. Typically, the invention has a channel of square cross section in particular and is particularly suitable for thin-walled injection ceramic honeycomb structures, in which support at four supports is preferably achieved, each of which is in the channel wall direction. Apply force to the honeycomb structure.

Different intensities of the honeycomb structure can be corrected by appropriately selecting the properties of the correction layer itself. A preferred embodiment of the correction layer is that the support has a greater weight per unit area than other areas of the correction layer. In particular, the support has a greater density than other sites. By this embodiment of the correction layer, different performances for deformation are obtained between the support and the rest of the outer periphery. In addition, greater strength of the support can also be obtained if the support is at least partially formed by one or more inserts.

Here, the insert can be made of a sandwich-type structure, for example, such a structure means that a force exerted radially towards the honeycomb structure by the housing is received by the insert.

Optionally, or additionally. The insertion hole may be made of a material having a greater strength than the material of other portions of the correction layer. At this time, as such a material, a metal material is preferable. Also, if the honeycomb structure is of an electrically heatable honeycomb structure, this insert can be used as the contact location for the electrical terminal.

Preferably, the correction layer disposed between the honeycomb structure and the housing is possible at least partially in the form of matting, which allows the honeycomb structure to be insulated from the housing. The correction layer preferably comprises one or more mattings, preferably made of ceramic fibers, so-called "swelling matting" is preferably used, and due to their crystal structure the matting is a result of water absorption. The swelling that occurs can fill the cavity.

If the support is formed by two or more, preferably three tires, in the correction layer, it is possible to correct for different strengths in the radial direction along the outer periphery of the honeycomb structure. At this time, the correction layer is made of one piece, the tire may be formed by folding the correction layer on the correction layer. Such a configuration makes it possible to achieve the simple and cost-effective effect of the present invention.

According to another aspect of the invention, the different radial strength properties of the honeycomb structure along the periphery can be corrected by the configuration of the appropriate housing. Thus, in the circumferential direction of the honeycomb structure, the housing has at least two radially inwardly facing support segments, which are formed in the larger radial strength region of the honeycomb structure. In the region of the support segment, the force exerted by the housing onto the honeycomb structure is induced into the region of the honeycomb structure in which the honeycomb structure is of greater strength. Thus, the honeycomb structure region with reduced radial strength can be made to accept only little force or little force. Also using this embodiment, there is a correction layer between the housing and the honeycomb structure, preferably made of fiber mating that is more compressed in the support segment than in the rest of the outer circumferential region, whereby the cock portion is formed in the support segment. .

The support may extend over the entire axial length of the honeycomb structure. However, this is not absolutely necessary. In particular, it may be desirable for the support to extend over only a portion of the axial length of the honeycomb structure, i.e. near the cross section, for an axially stretched honeycomb structure and also for a honeycomb structure which is produced not exactly straight. It may also be desirable to provide the support to be distributed on the axial side of the honeycomb structure. However, the support must be of a size and number so that the honeycomb structure can be firmly and securely maintained inside the housing.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, when the honeycomb structure has an even number of supports in its cross section, the two supports are arranged so as to be arranged radially opposite to each other. In each case, the supports should be evenly distributed along the outer periphery of the honeycomb structure.

In order to simplify the assembly of the honeycomb structure, and also to allow the support of the correction layer to be placed in an area with a larger radial strength, the honeycomb structure and / or the correction layer and / or the housing may have positioning aids. It is provided. In this regard, in particular the positioning aids are in the form of one or more optical markings, by which the assembly of the honeycomb structure can be automated. It is also provided for the positioning aid to be formed by protrusions or recesses that can be mechanically scanned.

According to another aspect of the invention, the honeycomb structure is provided such that it has at least two convex surfaces on the side facing the correction layer, the portions of which are directed radially outward, wherein the convex surface has a greater radial strength. It is provided in the area. This solution also means that areas of the honeycomb structure with reduced radial strength should only accept little force or not typically accept force. In a particularly effective way, each convex surface is in the form of a flat bead extending in the axial direction, since it is the most suitable force passing in the honeycomb structure. In the correction layer, the convex surface creates a support, the housing has a circular cross section and the honeycomb structure has a circular cross section excluding the convex surface, the convex surface can be fitted according to any orientation, and the support is always It is meant to serve to form in areas of greater radial strength. If only small deformations are made in the injection cross section, the axially extending beads may be formed during the injection of the honeycomb structure, without any additional cost being required.

Further details and advantages of the invention are referred to through the embodiments shown in the drawings, which do not limit the invention.

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the honeycomb structure of the present invention. This honeycomb structure device has a honeycomb structure 1 having a plurality of channels 5 in the housing 8. Each channel 5 is bounded by partition walls 6, 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the dividing walls 6, 7 extend in planes parallel or perpendicular to one another so that the honeycomb structure 1 has a difference in strength in the radial direction R of its outer circumference U. The arrow shows the direction in which the honeycomb structure 1 is at the maximum radial strength.

The honeycomb structure 1 is surrounded by the correction layer 2. In the embodiment shown, the correction layer 2 is in the form of ceramic fiber mating and is located on the inner wall 9 of the housing 8.

The correction layer 2 has a support 3 having a greater strength in the radial direction R than at the rest of the portion of the correction layer 2. The support 3 is arranged in the region in which the honeycomb structure 1 is of greater radial strength. In the embodiment shown, each two supports 3 are located radially opposite to one another. Therefore, in the case where the channel or the channel device has a hexagonal cross section, it is particularly preferable to provide six supports 3 along the outer circumference U of the honeycomb structure, which support has a maximum radial strength. It is preferred to be spaced apart by 60 ° from the adjacent support in the circumferential direction U at the position.

The force directed radially inward by the housing 8 is induced into the honeycomb structure 1 substantially across the support 3 of the correction layer 2. The support 3 extends at least partially in the axial direction of the honeycomb structure 1. The support 3 preferably extends over the entire axial length of the honeycomb structure 1.

2 schematically shows an embodiment of the support 3 of the correction layer 2. The support is formed by the insert 10. The insert 10 is made of a metallic material.

3 shows another embodiment of the support 3 of the correction layer 2 formed by the three tires 11, 12, 13 in the correction layer 2 folded over another layer.

4 is a second embodiment showing a cross section of a honeycomb structural device; In this embodiment, the housing 8 has a support segment 16 directed radially inward in the circumferential direction U of the honeycomb structure 1. This support segment 16 is formed in the region of increased radial strength of the honeycomb structure 1. The force directed radially inwardly by the housing 8 essentially crosses the support 3 and the support segment 16 in the correction layer 2 into an area where the honeycomb structure 1 has a greater radial strength. By being guided, the honeycomb structure 1 is fitted into the housing 8, and damage to the honeycomb structure can be prevented during the next operation.

Due to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 4, the honeycomb structure 1 can be fitted into the housing 8 to enable accurate relative positioning. There are many possible ways to achieve this even in automated mass production. One particularly effective method exists in the honeycomb structure 1 provided with an optically and / or mechanically scannable positioning aid 18. However, accordingly, the housing 8 and the honeycomb structure 1 of non-circular cross-section which are also suitable for the present invention are formed, because the relative positioning is made by, for example, a spherical or elliptical cross-sectional shape.

5 shows another cross-sectional view of a catalytic device according to the invention. Due to this embodiment, in the outer circumferential region of maximum radial strength, the honeycomb structure 1 has a convex surface 17 facing radially outward which creates a support 3 in the correction layer 2. Preferably, this convex surface 17 is capable of production by injection by forming flat beads extending axially over the entire length of the honeycomb structure 1. The action of the beads on the correction layer 2 is the same as that of the support 16 of FIG. 4, except that the convex surface 17 is always placed in the correct position on the honeycomb structure 1, and preferentially the support ( 6) should be placed in the correct position with respect to the honeycomb structure (1).

Clearly, it is possible to produce the support 3 in the correction layer 2 by simultaneously measuring on the correction layer 2 and / or the housing 8 and / or the honeycomb structure 1. Thus, an additional step of generating the support 3 on the housing 8, the honeycomb structure 1 and / or the correction layer 2 can be provided.

In particular, the present invention may be suitable for mass production of honeycomb structures as required for an automated configuration for purification of exhaust gases. In particular, the thin-walled ceramic honeycomb structure can be fitted in the metal housing simply and firmly in accordance with the present invention. This type of honeycomb structure can be used as a catalyst and, according to the present invention, the heat exchange load capacity of this honeycomb structure is increased and the close fitting to the engine is easy. However, the present invention can also be used as a carrier for other exhaust gas purification means such as hydrocarbon emissions, NOx-reservoirs, aqueous emissions and the like.

* Brief description of symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

1: catalyst carrier body 2: correction layer

3: support part 4: rest of outer area

5: channel 6, 7: split wall

8: housing 9: inner wall

10: insertion part 11, 12, 13: tire of the correction layer

16: support segment 17: convex surface

18: Positioning aid U: Outer peripheral part

R: radial

Claims (20)

A honeycomb structure 1 having a plurality of channels 5 separated from each other by the dividing walls 6, 7 is arranged, the honeycomb structure having a difference in radial strength along its periphery U In the honeycomb structure having a metal housing (8) arranged between the housing (8) and the honeycomb structure (1) and having a correction layer (2) disposed in at least a portion of the outer periphery (U). ) Has at least two supports 3 in the outer circumferential direction U of the honeycomb structure 1, which supports radially in the honeycomb structure more than outside of the support region 3 in the remainder of the outer circumferential region 4). R) exerting a greater force, said support (3) being characterized in that the honeycomb structure (1) is located in an area with greater radial strength. The honeycomb structure according to claim 1, wherein the honeycomb structure is a ceramic, in particular an injection-type honeycomb structure with a smooth split wall (7), the radial strength of which is greater in the split wall (7) direction than in other directions. . The honeycomb structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support (3) has a greater weight per unit area than in the remainder of the outer circumferential region (4). 4. Honeycomb structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the support (3) has a greater density than the rest of the outer circumferential region (4). The honeycomb structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (3) is at least partially formed by one or more inserts (10). 6. Honeycomb structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the insert section (10) has a structure which gives the support section (3) greater strength than the other sections (4). 7. Honeycomb structure according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the insert (10) is made of a material having a greater strength than the material of the rest of the outer circumferential region (4). 8. Honeycomb structure according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the inserting portion (10) is made of a metallic material. 9. Honeycomb structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the correction layer (2) is at least partially in mating form. 10. Honeycomb structure according to claim 9, characterized in that the correction layer (2) is at least partly in the form of a metal. The honeycomb structure according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the support (3) is formed by two or more, preferably three or more tires (11, 12, 13) in the correction layer (2). 12. The support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the outer circumferential direction (U) of the honeycomb structure (1) the housing (8) is at least two supports which are radially inwardly directed for the purpose of forming the support (3). Honeycomb structure, characterized in that it has a segment (16). 13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when there are an even number of support members 3, each of the two support portions 3 is located radially opposite to each other in cross section. Honeycomb structure. 14. Honeycomb structure (1) and / or correction layer (2) and / or housing (8) are each honeycomb structure (1) and housing (8) or correction layer. A honeycomb structure, characterized in that it has at least one positioning aid (18) for correcting the relative positioning of (2). 15. The honeycomb structure according to claim 14, wherein said positioning aid is in the form of an optical marking. 16. Honeycomb structure according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the positioning aid is formed by one or more protrusions or recesses. 17. Honeycomb structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (3) extends at least over the axial length of the honeycomb structure (1). 18. The convex surface according to any one of claims 1 to 17, on the side facing the correction layer 2, the honeycomb structure 1 faces at least two radially outwards for the purpose of forming a support 3. (17), wherein the convex surface (17) is formed in a region having a greater radial strength. 19. Honeycomb structure according to claim 18, characterized in that the convex surface (17) is in the form of an axial continuous bead. 20. Honeycomb structure according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the convex surface (17) is produced by injecting the honeycomb structure (1) using an injection device of a suitable type.