LU102106B1 - Apparatus for melting frozen liquid covering a sensing surface of a sensor device - Google Patents

Apparatus for melting frozen liquid covering a sensing surface of a sensor device Download PDF

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Publication number
LU102106B1
LU102106B1 LU102106A LU102106A LU102106B1 LU 102106 B1 LU102106 B1 LU 102106B1 LU 102106 A LU102106 A LU 102106A LU 102106 A LU102106 A LU 102106A LU 102106 B1 LU102106 B1 LU 102106B1
Authority
LU
Luxembourg
Prior art keywords
heat
liquid
liquid container
unit
conducting unit
Prior art date
Application number
LU102106A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Stéphane Leonard
Araz Darba
Original Assignee
Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation & Res
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation & Res filed Critical Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation & Res
Priority to LU102106A priority Critical patent/LU102106B1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2021/076092 priority patent/WO2022063842A1/en
Priority to EP21782718.7A priority patent/EP4217595A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of LU102106B1 publication Critical patent/LU102106B1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/08—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
    • F01N3/10—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust
    • F01N3/18—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by methods of operation; Control
    • F01N3/20—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by methods of operation; Control specially adapted for catalytic conversion ; Methods of operation or control of catalytic converters
    • F01N3/2066—Selective catalytic reduction [SCR]
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N13/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus characterised by constructional features ; Exhaust or silencing apparatus, or parts thereof, having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01N1/00 - F01N5/00, F01N9/00, F01N11/00
    • F01N13/008—Mounting or arrangement of exhaust sensors in or on exhaust apparatus
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N13/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus characterised by constructional features ; Exhaust or silencing apparatus, or parts thereof, having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01N1/00 - F01N5/00, F01N9/00, F01N11/00
    • F01N13/18—Construction facilitating manufacture, assembly, or disassembly
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2240/00—Combination or association of two or more different exhaust treating devices, or of at least one such device with an auxiliary device, not covered by indexing codes F01N2230/00 or F01N2250/00, one of the devices being
    • F01N2240/16—Combination or association of two or more different exhaust treating devices, or of at least one such device with an auxiliary device, not covered by indexing codes F01N2230/00 or F01N2250/00, one of the devices being an electric heater, i.e. a resistance heater
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2560/00—Exhaust systems with means for detecting or measuring exhaust gas components or characteristics
    • F01N2560/06—Exhaust systems with means for detecting or measuring exhaust gas components or characteristics the means being a temperature sensor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2610/00—Adding substances to exhaust gases
    • F01N2610/02—Adding substances to exhaust gases the substance being ammonia or urea
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2610/00—Adding substances to exhaust gases
    • F01N2610/10—Adding substances to exhaust gases the substance being heated, e.g. by heating tank or supply line of the added substance
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2610/00—Adding substances to exhaust gases
    • F01N2610/14—Arrangements for the supply of substances, e.g. conduits
    • F01N2610/1406—Storage means for substances, e.g. tanks or reservoirs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2610/00—Adding substances to exhaust gases
    • F01N2610/14—Arrangements for the supply of substances, e.g. conduits
    • F01N2610/148—Arrangement of sensors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2610/00—Adding substances to exhaust gases
    • F01N2610/14—Arrangements for the supply of substances, e.g. conduits
    • F01N2610/1486—Means to prevent the substance from freezing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2900/00—Details of electrical control or of the monitoring of the exhaust gas treating apparatus
    • F01N2900/06—Parameters used for exhaust control or diagnosing
    • F01N2900/18—Parameters used for exhaust control or diagnosing said parameters being related to the system for adding a substance into the exhaust
    • F01N2900/1806—Properties of reducing agent or dosing system
    • F01N2900/1814—Tank level
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2900/00—Details of electrical control or of the monitoring of the exhaust gas treating apparatus
    • F01N2900/06—Parameters used for exhaust control or diagnosing
    • F01N2900/18—Parameters used for exhaust control or diagnosing said parameters being related to the system for adding a substance into the exhaust
    • F01N2900/1806—Properties of reducing agent or dosing system
    • F01N2900/1818—Concentration of the reducing agent
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A50/00—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE in human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather
    • Y02A50/20—Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/12—Improving ICE efficiencies

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials Using Thermal Means (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for melting frozen liquid covering a sensing surface of a sensor device, the apparatus comprises: -a sensor device (1) of a sensor unit (10) for a liquid container (20; 30), the sensor device (1) having a sensing surface (2) for sensing a characteristic of a liquid contained in the liquid container (20; 30) indicative of the quality and/or fill level of the liquid, - a first heat-conducting unit (3) whose main function is to melt the frozen liquid covering the sensing surface (2) of the sensor device (1), wherein the first heat-conducting unit (3) comprises an interface (4) configured to be mechanically and thermally coupled to a second heat-conducting unit (11) whose primary function is to thaw the frozen liquid contained in the liquid container (20; 30), and whose secondary function is to transfer heat to the first heat- conducting unit (3) through the interface (4).

Description

Apparatus for melting frozen liquid covering a sensing surface of a sensor device Technical field of the invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for melting frozen liquid covering a sensing surface of a sensor device. The liquid is preferably a water- containing product such as water, demineralized water, urea solution, washing fluid and the like.
The invention also relates to a liquid container for storing a liquid that can freeze, the liquid container comprising various components including the apparatus according to the invention. The invention further relates to a liquid tank for motor vehicle comprising the liquid container according to the invention. The invention further relates also to a motor vehicle comprising the liquid tank according to the invention.
Background of the invention Sensor units comprising multiple sensor devices are being widely used in automotive applications in order to reduce the production cost of sensing systems and improving the packaging and assembly processes for original equipment manufacturers (OEM). Sensor units in liquid containers comprising quality sensors are being used to measure characteristics representative of the quality of the liquid in the container. An ultrasonic quality sensor measures the sound propagation speed in the liquid to determine the concentration of an additive, a solvent or a solution added to the liquid and a presence of any contaminants within the liquid.
In addition to a quality sensor, a sensor unit may further comprise a fill level sensor for measuring the liquid level within the liquid container and one or more probes to measure the electrical characteristics of the liquid as well as its temperature. A sensor unit may also comprise an electronic controller to receive data from the multiple sensor devices then process, compensate them and communicate with other electronic units such as a main control unit or a display.
When a liquid tank is exposed to a low environment temperature, the liquid in the container can freeze. When the liquid contained in a liquid tank is frozen, a heater is used to thaw it. Indeed, a urea solution, a demineralized water or a washing fluid must be liquid to be able to be injected into an exhaust pipe, an internal combustion engine or onto a windshield/driving aids sensor respectively. Examples of driving aids sensor for a motor vehicle are radar, LIDAR and video camera. Furthermore, the injection cannot start until the quality of the liquid is detected by the quality sensor and approved by a liquid delivery control unit, and detections cannot be made as long as the sensing surface of the quality sensor is covered with frozen liquid. In most cases, due to the heating system present in the liquid containers, thawed liquid is available at a pump intake of the liquid tank while the liquid around the sensor devices is still frozen. Therefore, the liquid is available for injection but it cannot be injected because quality measurement information is not available yet.
Sensor units comprising an internal heating system are able to quickly melt frozen liquid around the sensor devices to provide quality measurement information much faster than sensors units without an internal heating system. A conventional internal heating system for a sensor unit relies on an electrical heater integrated into the sensor housing of the sensor unit. Alternatively, an internal heating system may use engine coolant to melt the frozen liquid around the sensor devices (see for example US2015033700A1). The problem with an electrical heater integrated into a sensor housing of a sensor unit is the extra cost added to the sensing system. Indeed, in addition to the cost of the electrical heater, there is a cost associated with the electrical connection that connects the electrical heater to an electrical power supply circuit. As regards the engine coolant to melt the frozen liquid around the sensor devices, the coolant-carrying pipes have to be placed where the frozen liquid needs to be melted, which is not always possible and adds extra cost, weight and complexity to the sensing system.
In view of the above, there exists a need for an apparatus for melting frozen liquid covering a sensing surface of a sensor device that overcomes disadvantages of the prior art.
Summary of the invention The present invention provides an apparatus for melting frozen liquid covering a sensing surface of a sensor device, the apparatus comprises: - a sensor device of a sensor unit for a liquid container, the sensor device having a sensing surface for sensing a characteristic of a liquid contained in the liquid container indicative of the quality and/or fill level of the liquid, - a first heat-conducting unit whose main function is to melt the frozen liquid covering the sensing surface of the sensor device, wherein the first heat-conducting unit comprises an interface configured to be mechanically and thermally coupled to a second heat-conducting unit whose primary function is to thaw the frozen liquid contained in the liquid container, and whose secondary function is to transfer heat to the first heat-conducting unit through the interface.
In the context of the present invention, a “heat-conducting unit” is defined as a heating unit capable of conducting and transferring heat but not generating heat, as opposed to a “heat source unit’, which is a heating unit capable of generating and transferring heat. A heat-conducting unit typically acts as a thermal bridge between a heat source unit and a medium to be heated, e.g. a frozen liquid.
In a preferred embodiment, the first heat-conducting unit and the interface are made of a single piece of material. This allows the interface to conduct the heat of the first heat-conducting unit without thermal loss.
The apparatus according to the invention takes advantage of an existing heating system in its operating environment. indeed, the operating environment of the apparatus is a liquid container comprising a second heat-conducting unit also known as “heat diffuser” whose primary function is to thaw frozen liquid contained in the liquid container by conducting the heat all around an inside surface of a wall of the liquid container and transferring it to the frozen liquid. A heat source unit also known as “heater” is connected to the heat diffuser to supply heat thereto. In this operating environment, there is no need to connect another heat source unit to the first heat-conducting unit because the interface connects the first heat-conducting unit to the heat source unit of the second heat-conducting unit through the second heat-conducting unit acting as a thermal bridge. In an example, the first heat-conducting unit can be considered as an extension of the second heat-conducting unit, thus creating a heat conduction path from the heat source unit to the frozen liquid covering the sensing surface of the sensor device. This arrangement shortens the melting time of the liquid covering the sensing surface of the sensor device, thereby speeding up liquid quality measurement readiness, and ultimately reducing the cold start injection time.
In a preferred embodiment, the first heat-conducting unit is not in contact with the sensor device. This allows heating the frozen liquid covering the sensing surface of the sensor device without heating the sensor device itself, which could damage it if the temperature of the first heat-conducting unit is too high.
In a preferred embodiment, the sensor device is a quality sensor and/or a fill level sensor. A quality sensor allows measuring characteristics representative of the quality of the liquid in the liquid container whereas a fill level sensor allows measuring the liquid level within the liquid container. In an example, the quality sensor may be a probe, for instance, a probe for measuring an electrical characteristic of the liquid such as its conductivity, resistivity, impedance, capacity and the like.
In a preferred embodiment, the sensor device is an ultrasonic sensor device. In case of an ultrasonic quality sensor, it allows measuring the sound propagation speed through the liquid within the liquid tank whereas an ultrasonic level sensor allows measuring the distance from the sensing surface of the ultrasonic level sensor to the liquid surface. In an example, the ultrasonic sensor device is a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer wherein the sensing surface is the transducer face.
In a preferred embodiment, the first heat-conducting unit is a first metal unit. This allows providing a heat-conducting unit with high thermal conductivity compared to plastic material. In an example, the first metal unit is a metal with high thermal conductivity such as copper, aluminum or steel. Obviously, in case where the first heat-conducting unit and the interface are made of a single piece of material, the interface is made of the same metal as the first heat-conducting unit.
Although the main function of the first heat-conducting unit is to melt the frozen liquid covering the sensing surface of the sensor device, the first heat- conducting unit does not physically cover the sensing surface of the sensor device otherwise it would absorb the ultrasonic sound waves generated by the transducer. In an example, the first heat-conducting unit surrounds the sensing surface of the sensor device. In another example, the first heat-conducting unit is located at a distance from the sensing surface allowing the heat conducted by the first heat-conducting unit to be quickly transferred to the frozen liquid covering the sensing surface so as to melt it fast.
In a preferred embodiment, the interface acts as a positioning means configured to position the apparatus on the liquid container. This allows the apparatus to be accurately positioned on the liquid container at the time it is assembled to the liquid container. Indeed, often a sensor unit is being mounted on a liquid container by welding the housing sensor to the liquid container, provided that there are both made of plastic material. Given that metal made elements offer lower geometrical tolerances compared to plastic made elements, it is advantageous in case where the interface is made of metal to position the apparatus on the liquid container by means of the interface rather than by any plastic part of the sensor housing.
In a preferred embodiment, the first heat-conducting unit is at least partially embedded in a sensor housing of the sensor unit. This allows the apparatus to be as compact as possible. In case of a plastic sensor housing, it is advantageous to overmold the first heat-conducting unit with plastic of the sensor housing.
The present invention also concerns a liquid container for storing a liquid that can freeze, the liquid container comprises: - an apparatus according to the invention, - a second heat-conducting unit whose primary function is to thaw the frozen liquid contained inside the liquid container, and whose secondary function is to transfer heat to the first heat-conducting unit through the interface to which the second heat-conducting unit is mechanically and thermally coupled, wherein a heat source unit is connected to the second heat-conducting unit to supply heat thereto.
The liquid container according to the invention allows connecting the apparatus according to the invention to an existing heating system. Indeed, the liquid container comprises a second heat-conducting unit also known as “heat diffuser” whose primary function is to thaw frozen liquid contained in the liquid container by conducting the heat all around an inside surface of a wall of the liquid container and transferring it to the frozen liquid. The heat source unit also known as “heater” is connected to the heat diffuser to supply heat thereto. Thanks to this arrangement, there is no need to connect another heat source unit to the first heat-conducting unit because the interface connects the first heat-conducting unit to the heat source unit of the second heat-conducting unit through the second heat-conducting unit acting as a thermal bridge. In an example, the first heat-
conducting unit can be considered as an extension of the second heat-conducting unit, thus creating a heat conduction path from the heat source unit to the frozen liquid covering the sensing surface of the sensor device. This arrangement shortens the melting time of the liquid covering the sensing surface of the sensor device, thereby speeding up liquid quality measurement readiness, and ultimately reducing the cold start injection time.
In a preferred embodiment, the liquid container is a liquid delivery module. A liquid delivery module is a liquid container comprising a baseplate configured to be positioned through an opening made in a wall of a liquid tank and a pump unit configured to pump liquid from the baseplate and deliver it to a supply line of a liquid consuming device. This allows the apparatus according to the invention to be packaged with a liquid delivery module, thus offering improved packaging and assembly processes for original equipment manufacturers (OEM).
In a preferred embodiment, the second heat-conducting unit is a second metal unit. Just like the first heat-conducting unit, this allows providing a heat- conducting unit with high thermal conductivity compared to plastic material. In an example, the second metal unit is a metal with high thermal conductivity such as copper, aluminum or steel.
In a preferred embodiment, the heat source unit is an electrical heater or heating element. This allows connecting the electrical heater to an electrical power supply circuit. In case of a liquid container used in a motor vehicle, the electrical power is supplied by a battery or a generator circuit; this allows the heat source unit to heat faster compared to a heat source unit relying on engine coolant.
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is positioned on the liquid container by means of the interface acting as positioning means. This allows the apparatus to be accurately positioned on the liquid container when it is assembled to the liquid container. Indeed, often a sensor unit is being mounted on a liquid container by welding the housing sensor to the liquid container, provided that they are both made of plastic material. Given that metal made elements offer lower geometrical tolerances compared to plastic made elements, it is advantageous in case where the interface is made of metal to position the apparatus on the liquid container by means of the interface rather than by any plastic part of the sensor housing.
The present invention also concerns a liquid tank for motor vehicle comprising a liquid container according to the invention. This allows the liquid container according to the invention to be packaged with a liquid tank for motor vehicle, thus offering improved packaging and assembly processes for original equipment manufacturers (OEM).
The present invention also concems a motor vehicle comprising a liquid tank according to the invention.
In a preferred embodiment, the liquid is a water-containing product selected from the group consisting of water, demineralized water, urea solution, washing fluid and the like.
Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a liquid container and a liquid tank according to the prior art; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus, a liquid container and a liquid tank according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the effect on frozen liquid of the apparatus of the present invention.
Description of illustrative embodiments The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.
It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.
Fig. 1 shows a prior art liquid tank 31 comprising a prior art liquid container 21 for storing a liquid that can freeze. The liquid container 21 comprises a quality sensor 6 and a heat diffuser 14 whose main function is to thaw the frozen liquid 17 contained inside the liquid container 21. A heater 19 is connected to the heat diffuser 14 to supply heat thereto.
When heat is supplied to the heat diffuser 14, the frozen liquid 17 starts melting all around the liquid container 21 but not the frozen liquid disposed upon the sensing surface 22 of the quality sensor 6 because the heat diffuser 14 does not extend in this area. Therefore, melted liquid 18 may be injected in a liquid consuming device (not shown) but it is not injected because quality measurement information is not available yet.
Fig. 2 shows a liquid tank 30 for a motor vehicle (not shown) comprising a liquid container 20 according to the invention, both elements are made of plastic material. The liquid container 20 has a wall 23, for instance, a cylindrical wall, and is adapted to store a liquid that can freeze. The liquid tank 30 delimits two areas, a wet area 15 and a dry area 16. The wet area 15 is the liquid storage area and the dry area is the area outside the liquid tank 30. The liquid container 20 comprises an apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus according to the invention is adapted to melt frozen liquid covering a sensing surface of a sensor device. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid is a water-containing product selected from the group consisting of water, demineralized water, urea solution, washing fluid and the like. The apparatus comprises a sensor device 1 of a sensor unit 10 for a liquid container 20. The sensor device 1 has a sensing surface 2 for sensing a characteristic of a liquid contained in the liquid container 20 indicative of the quality and/or fill level of the liquid. The apparatus further comprises a first heat-conducting unit 3 whose main function is to melt the frozen liquid covering the sensing surface 2 of the sensor device 1. In this example, the first heat- conducting unit 3 includes a part 13 that surrounds the sensing surface 2 of the sensor device 1 without physically covering it. To this end, the first heat- conducting unit part 13 has a ring-like shape. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the first heat-conducting unit 3 is located at a distance from the sensing surface 2 allowing the heat conducted by the first heat-conducting unit 3 to be quickly transferred to the frozen liquid covering the sensing surface 2 so as to melt it fast. The first heat-conducting unit 3 comprises an interface 4 configured to be mechanically and thermally coupled to a second heat-conducting unit 11 whose primary function is to thaw the frozen liquid contained in the liquid container 20, and whose secondary function is to transfer heat to the first heat-conducting unit 3 through the interface 4.
In a preferred embodiment, the first heat-conducting unit 3 and the interface 4 are made of a single piece of material. Advantageously, the first heat- conducting unit 3 is not in contact with the sensor device 1. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor device 1 is a quality sensor and/or a fill level sensor. In an example, the sensor device 1 is an ultrasonic sensor device, for instance, a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer. In a further example, the first heat-conducting unit 3 is a first metal unit. In an example, the first metal unit is a metal with high thermal conductivity such as copper, aluminum or steel. Advantageously, the apparatus is positioned on the liquid container 20 by means of the interface 4 acting as positioning means 5. In a particular example, the liquid container 20 has a bottom with an opening through which the apparatus is positioned so that the sensing surface 2 emerges from the bottom of the liquid container 20. In an embodiment, the first heat-conducting unit 3 is at least partially embedded in a sensor housing 7 of the sensor unit 10. In an example, the sensor housing is made of plastic material and the first heat-conducting unit 3 is overmolded with plastic of the sensor housing 7. The sensor housing 7 includes a part 9 transparent to ultrasound waves in order to prevent the ultrasonic sound waves generated by the piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer from being absorbed by the sensor housing
7.
In a preferred embodiment, the second heat-conducting unit 11 is arranged in the wall 23 delimiting the liquid container 20. In an example, the wall 23 of the liquid container 20 is overmolded onto the second heat-conducting unit 11 whose secondary function is to transfer heat to the first heat-conducting unit 3 through the interface 4 to which the second heat-conducting unit 11 is mechanically and thermally coupled. A heat source unit 12 is connected to the second heat- conducting unit 11 to supply heat thereto. This arrangement allows creating a heat conduction path 8 from the heat source unit 12 to the frozen liquid covering the sensing surface 2 of the sensor device 1. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid container 20 is a liquid delivery module for delivering liquid from the liquid tank 30 to a liquid consuming device in a motor vehicle (not shown), for instance urea solution to an exhaust pipe, demineralized water to an internal combustion engine or a washing fluid to a windshield/driving aids sensor. In an example, the second heat-conducting unit 11 is a second metal unit. In an example, the second metal unit is a metal with high thermal conductivity such as copper, aluminum or steel. Advantageously, the heat source unit 12 is an electrical heater or heating element, for instance a PTC heater or a ceramic heater, connected to a battery or a generator circuit of the motor vehicle (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the heat source unit 12 is arranged in the wall 23 of the liquid container 20. In an example, the wall 23 is overmolded onto the heat source unit 12.
Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the effect on frozen liquid of the apparatus according to the invention. In this example, the liquid container 20 comprises a quality sensor 1 and a heat diffuser 11 whose main function is to thaw the frozen liquid 17 contained inside the liquid container 20. A heater 12 is connected to the heat diffuser 11 to supply heat thereto. When heat is supplied to the heat diffuser 11, the frozen liquid 17 starts melting all around the liquid container 20 as well as in the area upon the sensing surface 2 of the quality sensor
1. Indeed, the heat diffuser 11 extends in the area upon the sensing surface 2 by means of the first heat-conducting unit 3 to which the heat diffuser 11 is mechanically and thermally coupled through the interface 4, thus creating a heat conduction path 8 from the heater 12 to the frozen liquid 17 covering the sensing surface 2. Therefore, melted liquid 18 for injection and melted liquid 18 for quality measurement are available at the same time therefore if the quality of the melted liquid 18 is approved by a liquid delivery control unit (not shown), it is injected in a liquid consuming device (not shown) without further delay, thus reducing the cold start injection time.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the liquid container 20 is missing so the liquid tank 30 assumes the role of the liquid container 20, meaning that the second heat-conducting unit 11, the heat source unit 12 and the apparatus according to the invention are part of the liquid tank 30.
List of references 1: sensor device
2: sensing surface 3: first heat-conducting unit 4: interface 5: positioning means 6: quality sensor 7: sensor housing 8: heat conduction path 9: sensor housing part transparent to ultrasound waves 10: sensor unit 11: second heat-conducting unit a.k.a. heat diffuser 12: heat source unit a.k.a. heater 13: first heat-conducting unit part surrounding the sensing surface 2 of the sensor device 1 14: heat-conducting unit 15: wet area 16: dry area 17: frozen liquid 18: melted liquid 19: heat source unit 20: container 21: container 22: sensing surface 23: wall of container 20 30: liquid tank 31: liquid tank

Claims (14)

1. An apparatus for melting frozen liquid covering a sensing surface of a sensor device, the apparatus comprises: - a sensor device (1) of a sensor unit (10) for a liquid container (20; 30), the sensor device (1) having a sensing surface (2) for sensing a characteristic of a liquid contained in the liquid container (20; 30) indicative of the quality and/or fill level of the liquid, - a first heat-conducting unit (3) whose main function is to melt the frozen liquid covering the sensing surface (2) of the sensor device (1), wherein the first heat-conducting unit (3) comprises an interface (4) configured to be mechanically and thermally coupled to a second heat- conducting unit (11) whose primary function is to thaw the frozen liquid contained in the liquid container (20; 30), and whose secondary function is to transfer heat to the first heat-conducting unit (3) through the interface (4).
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first heat-conducting unit (3) is not in contact with the sensor device (1).
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor device (1) is a quality sensor and/or a fill level sensor.
4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor device (1) is an ultrasonic sensor device.
5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first heat- conducting unit (3) is a first metal unit.
6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the interface (4) is configured to act as a positioning means (5) to position the apparatus on the liquid container (20; 30).
7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first heat- conducting unit (3) is at least partially embedded in a sensor housing (7) of the sensor unit (10).
8. A liquid container (20; 30) for storing a liquid that can freeze, the liquid container comprises: - an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, - a second heat-conducting unit (11) whose primary function is to thaw the frozen liquid contained inside the liquid container (20; 30), and whose secondary function is to transfer heat to the first heat-conducting unit (3) through the interface (4) to which the second heat-conducting unit (11) is mechanically and thermally coupled, wherein a heat source unit (12) is connected to the second heat-conducting unit (11) to supply heat thereto.
9. Liquid container according to claim 8, wherein the liquid container (20; 30) is a liquid delivery module.
10.Liquid container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the second heat- conducting unit (11) is a second metal unit.
11.Liquid container according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the heat source unit (12) is an electrical heater or heating element.
12.Liquid container according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the apparatus is positioned on the liquid container (20; 30) by means of the interface (4) acting as positioning means (5).
13.A liquid tank (30) for motor vehicle comprising a liquid container (20) according to any one of claims 8 to 12.
14. A motor vehicle comprising a liquid tank (30) according to claim 13.
LU102106A 2020-09-25 2020-09-25 Apparatus for melting frozen liquid covering a sensing surface of a sensor device LU102106B1 (en)

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LU102106A LU102106B1 (en) 2020-09-25 2020-09-25 Apparatus for melting frozen liquid covering a sensing surface of a sensor device
PCT/EP2021/076092 WO2022063842A1 (en) 2020-09-25 2021-09-22 Liquid container with sensing apparatus
EP21782718.7A EP4217595A1 (en) 2020-09-25 2021-09-22 Liquid container with sensing apparatus

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20120119470A (en) * 2011-04-21 2012-10-31 (주)한엑스 Sensor unit of an urea tank having a return pipe for melting frozen urea
US20150033700A1 (en) 2013-08-01 2015-02-05 Ssi Technologies, Inc. Defrosting a sensor in a vehicle system
US20190383195A1 (en) * 2018-06-13 2019-12-19 Wema System As Connection head with a return cavity
CN111412046A (en) * 2020-04-13 2020-07-14 吴均宇 Electrical heating formula urea level sensor

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20120119470A (en) * 2011-04-21 2012-10-31 (주)한엑스 Sensor unit of an urea tank having a return pipe for melting frozen urea
US20150033700A1 (en) 2013-08-01 2015-02-05 Ssi Technologies, Inc. Defrosting a sensor in a vehicle system
US20190383195A1 (en) * 2018-06-13 2019-12-19 Wema System As Connection head with a return cavity
CN111412046A (en) * 2020-04-13 2020-07-14 吴均宇 Electrical heating formula urea level sensor

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