IT201900007016A1 - Hydraulic and electrical connection system for a plurality of ducts configured to be crossed by an electrically heatable fluid. - Google Patents

Description

TITLE: "Hydraulic and electrical connection system for a plurality of ducts configured to be crossed by an electrically heated fluid"

DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to a hydraulic and electrical connection system for a plurality of ducts configured to be crossed by an electrically heatable fluid.

Technological background

In the field of electrically heated ducts, there is a need to provide connection systems between these ducts, in which the electric heating and the hydraulic connection between them is preserved. This need is particularly but not exclusively felt in selective catalytic reduction applications (typically referred to and abbreviated as "SCR") for the abatement of NOX (nitrogen oxides) in exhaust gases. SCR devices are used both in industrial combustion and in internal combustion engines of motor vehicles. The reaction that allows to transform urea and nitrogen oxides into water and CO2 takes place by spraying the urea solution on a catalyst and is strongly dependent on the temperature. To meet the increasingly stringent regulations on diesel vehicle emissions, it is necessary to position the catalyst in an area where the exhaust gases are still hot, typically on the particulate filter or immediately after it. In this position, however, it is possible that the temperature of the catalyst rises above the optimal value, reducing the NOX abatement efficiency. For this purpose, in the most modern systems there is a double injection of water-urea solution, typically on the catalyst and after the silencer.

An example of this application is given by the publication of the international patent application WO 2019/038652 A1 in the name of the same Applicant.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic and electrical connection system for a plurality of ducts configured to be crossed by a heatable fluid, this system being able to improve those made according to the prior art. In particular, this system provides a simpler and more reliable assembly.

This object is achieved by means of a system comprising the technical characteristics cited in the attached independent claim. Optional and preferred technical characteristics of this connector are set forth in the dependent claims.

It is to be understood that the appended claims form an integral part of the technical teachings provided herein in the detailed description which follows regarding the present invention. In particular, some preferred embodiments of the present invention which include optional technical characteristics are defined in the attached dependent claims.

Further technical characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be evident from the following detailed description, provided simply by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, which are summarized below.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hydraulic and electrical connection system for a plurality of conduits configured to be traversed by an electrically heatable fluid. This system is made according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a further partial perspective view of the system of Figure 1, viewed from a different perspective and in which the protective envelope of the aforementioned system is absent. Furthermore, Figure 2 illustrates the system during an intermediate step of assembling the system.

Figure 3 and 4 are perspective views of a support assembly configured to support and house electrical heating means belonging to the system. In the aforementioned figures, the support assembly is shown in an open condition. In particular, Figure 3 shows the part that is operationally turned towards the inside of the support assembly, when it is in a closed condition; instead, Figure 4 shows the operationally outward-facing part of the support assembly when it is in a closed condition.

Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the support assembly when applied to the hydraulic connection assembly. This figure shows the electrical connections between the electrical heating means of the heated ducts and the heating means of the hydraulic connection assembly.

Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the system in which the hydraulic connection assembly is visible, without the support assembly.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a further variant of the system shown in the previous figures, in which the protective envelope is made by coupling two half-shells.

Detailed description of the present invention

With reference in particular to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral 10 generally indicates a hydraulic and electrical connection system for a plurality of ducts configured to be crossed by an electrically heatable fluid. This system is made according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

By way of non-limiting example of the present invention, the system 10 is particularly suitable for being used to connect ducts for SCR devices in motor vehicles.

The system 10 is configured to allow the hydraulic and electrical connection for a plurality of heated ducts 12. In the illustrated embodiment there are three heated ducts 12, but in further variants of the present invention these ducts can be two or even more than three.

With reference in particular to Figure 2, the heated ducts 12 are configured to be traversed by an electrically heatable fluid. In particular, each of the heated ducts 12 comprises a tubular element 14 in which the fluid is intended to flow. Furthermore, each of the heated conduits 12 comprises one or more electrical heater cables 16, located (e.g., wrapped) around the tubular element 14 and which heat the fluid as it passes through the tubular element 14. In particular, the tubular element 14 it is preferably coated with a protective sheath 13, for example in the form of a corrugated tube (as visible in Figure 7) or in the form of coextruded (as visible in Figure 1).

Again with particular reference to Figure 6, the system 10 comprises a hydraulic connection assembly 18 made of thermally conductive material. The assembly 18 comprises a plurality of fittings 20. Each of the fittings 20 is configured for hydraulic connection with one of the heated conduits 12. Furthermore, the connection assembly 18 comprises an intermediate hollow body 22 into which the fittings 20 flow and configured to be crossed by the fluid flowing in the heated ducts 12.

The system 10 further includes one or more electrical heating wires 24 configured to heat the link assembly 18. The electrical heating wires 24 of the system 10 extend along the hydraulic link assembly 18 and are configured to be electrically connected with the electrical heating cables 16 of the heated ducts 12, by means of an electrical connection 26, for example obtained thanks to electrical connectors 50 and 52.

The system 10 also comprises a covering casing 28 fixed to the hydraulic connection assembly 18 in such a way as to cover the electrical heating wires 24 and the electrical connectors 26.

The system 10 further comprises a support assembly 30 configured to support and house the electrical heating wires 24 and the electrical connections 26. The support assembly comprises a pair of half-shells 32, 34 configured to be mounted in a reciprocally reclosable manner on the connection assembly 18. Furthermore, the support assembly 30 provides one or more seats 38 located inside at least one of the half-shells 32, 34 and which house inside them at least a portion of the respective electrical heating wires 24, holding them in contact with the link assembly 18.

Thanks to the aforementioned expedients, the hydraulic connection assembly 18 is capable of being heated in a similar way to the heated ducts 12 and by exploiting the electrical power supplied to the heated ducts 12. Furthermore, the structure of the support assembly 30 provides for -assemble sections of electric heating wires 24 in the seats 38 obtained in the half-shells 32, 34. In this way, an easier assembly of the system 10 is allowed, in fact the movement of the support assembly 30 and its installation are in particular facilitated on the hydraulic connection assembly 18. In fact, the seats 38 carrying the heating wires 24 allow an orderly and stable arrangement of the latter, without the operator having to worry that they are intertwined or twisted together during the movement of the support assembly 30 and installation on the hydraulic connection assembly 18. After such installation, the heating wires electrical connections 24 are connected electrically in a pass-through manner to the electrical heating cables 16 of the ducts 12, making the electrical connections 26.

Preferably, the support assembly 30 provides one or more clip portions 36 located outside at least one of the half-shells 32, 34 and configured to hold the electrical connectors 26

Note that the clip portions 36 can have different shapes and sizes, based on the manufacturing technology (for example, injection molding or additive manufacturing) and the type of electrical connection 26 that is intended to be housed inside them. In this regard, by way of example, in Figure 2 the shape of the clip portions 36 is that of a C inside which the electrical connection 26 is housed, by clicking or pressing; on the other hand, figures 4 and 5 show a variant in which these clip portions 36 are made up of pairs of substantially rectilinear and substantially parallel blades defining an interstice in which the electrical connection 26 is inserted, by clicking or pressing.

Preferably, the half-shells 32, 34 are bonded together, in particular made in one piece. These half-shells 32 and 34 can be moved between an open condition (Figures 3 and 4), in which they are spaced apart, and a closed condition (Figure 2), in which they are coupled to each other, enclosing the intermediate hollow body 22 and at least part of the fittings 20 which make up the hydraulic connection assembly 18. Even more preferably, the half-shells 32, 34 are rotatable relative to each other around an axis of rotation X-X. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis of rotation X-X is formed from a weakened region 40 of the support assembly 30 located between the half shells 32, 34. For example, the weakened region 40 is a thinned portion of the assembly of support 30 is located substantially along an axis of symmetry of the support assembly 30, consisting of the aforementioned axis of rotation X-X.

In the illustrated embodiment, where there are three heated conduits 12 which are connected together by the hydraulic connection assembly 18, the shape of the support assembly 30 is substantially a double T, in which each of the half-shells 32 , 34 realizes a T intended to overlap the T defined by the other of the half-shells 32, 34. Each branch of the T defined by the respective half-shell 32, 34 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape and is made to cover, in addition to the intermediate hollow body 22 and to the fittings 20, a proximal region of the tubular element 14.

Preferably, the half-shells 32, 34 are provided with snap coupling means which are configured to allow mutual locking between said half-shells 32, 34 in the closed condition. By way of example, the closing means comprise one or more protrusions 42 carried by a half-shell 32 and one or more respective holes 44 provided in the other half-shell 34. The protrusions 42 and the holes 44 are configured to fit together by interference during the reciprocal insertion when the half-shells 32, 34 are brought against each other in the closed condition.

Preferably, the seats 38 are made by means of grooves 46 obtained inside the half-shells 32, 34 and configured to house sections of the electric heating wires 24 inside them. The grooves 46 are made by means of grooves or recesses carried along the internal surface of the half-shells 32, 34 and which allow the insertion of the electric heating wires 24 inside them. The extension of the grooves 46 is substantially longitudinal, in particular substantially parallel to the sides of the T defined by the half-shells 32, 34.

Preferably, the portions of the electric heating wires 24 enter and / or exit from the grooves 46 through through openings 48 carried by the half-shells 32, 34. In this way, contact is ensured between the electric heating wires 24 and the hydraulic connection assembly 18 to allow the heat exchange necessary for heating the fluid.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the grooves 46 receives in input the respective section of electric heating wire 24 through one of the through openings 48, located at one end of the groove 46; in addition, each of these grooves 46 brings out the respective section of electric heating wire 24 through another of the through openings 48 located at the opposite end of the groove 46.

Preferably, as better visible in Figure 5, each of the electrical connections 26 is made by coupling a male connector 50 and a female connector 52. In particular, one of the connectors 50, 52 carries a respective electric heater cable 16 and the The other of the connectors 50, 52 is carried by the corresponding electrical heating wire 24. Conveniently, the electrical connections between the electrical heating cables 16 of the heated ducts 12 can also be made by means of the same measures, that is to say by means of the connection between a connector male 50 and a female connector 52; these connections can conveniently be housed in respective clip portions 36 of the support assembly 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connection 26 comprises an electrically insulating sleeve 54 wrapped around it. Advantageously, the sleeve 54 has an enlarged cross section in an intermediate position, capable of facilitating its centering in the clip position 36.

Preferably, the sleeve 54 is made of heat shrinkable material. Preferably, inside the sleeve 54 there is an adhesive designed to ensure the protection of the electrical connection from the infiltration of liquids after shrinking

In particular, the use of the connectors 50, 52, on which the sleeve 54 is then applied, allows overall a simplified assembly of the system 10, since the management of the wiring and its fixing in an orderly manner to the support assembly 30 is easier for the operator.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the covering casing 28 is made by inserting the hydraulic connection assembly 18 and the support assembly 30 into a mold and subsequent overmoulding. However, the covering casing 28 can also be made by means of a pair of elements 28a, 28b coupled to each other at their periphery, for example of the half-shell or clamshell type, as also shown in the variant of Figure 7.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hydraulic connection assembly 18 advantageously comprises on its outer surface a projection 56 configured to couple with a corresponding recess (not visible in the figures) and located on the surface that is operatively facing inward of the support assembly 30. The recess has a shape which mates with the projection 56, in such a way as to create a coupling mechanism of the so-called "poka-yoke" type between the hydraulic connection assembly 18 and the support assembly 39, avoiding an assembly incorrect system and forcing the operator to mount the components in the correct orientation. For example, the projection 56 is located outside an angular intersection position between two of the fittings 20.

Conveniently, the support assembly 30, and in particular at least one of the half-shells 32 and / or 34, is provided with appendages 58 configured to allow reproducible positioning of said support assembly 30 in the mold during the overmoulding of the envelope 28. (embodiment shown in Figure 1), in such a way as to reduce its movement during the injection of the material. In other words, the appendages 58 are configured to hold the support assembly 30 in a predetermined position during its insertion into an overmoulding mold and during the subsequent overmoulding phase of the protective envelope in the mold.

Alternatively, these appendages 58 can be used to correctly position the support assembly 30 on the protective casing 28 (variant of Figure 7) which is assembled above it. In more general terms, the appendages 58 are configured to hold the support assembly 30 in a predetermined position, coupling by insertion into corresponding portions having a mating shape and obtained in the protective casing 30.

In light of the above, in more general terms, the appendices 58 are configured to bind the support assembly 30 to the protective casing 28 in a predetermined position.

In the embodiment illustrated in the variant of Figure 7, these appendages 58 also provide a "poka-yoke" type of assembly method between the casing 28 and the support assembly 30 (in turn assembled on the hydraulic connection 18).

Preferably, the appendages 58 are made in the form of points, in particular located on the top of the lamellae which form the clip portions 36.

Naturally, without prejudice to the principle of the present invention, the embodiments and the details of implementation can be varied widely with reference to what has been described and illustrated, simply by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS 1. Hydraulic and electrical connection system (10) for a plurality of heated ducts (12) configured to be traversed by an electrically heatable fluid; said system comprising: - a hydraulic connection assembly (18) made of thermally conductive material, comprising a plurality of fittings (20), each of said fittings (20) being configured for hydraulic connection with a heated conduit (12) equipped with at least one electric heater cable (16) and configured to be traversed by said fluid, and an intermediate hollow body (22) into which said fittings (20) open and configured to be crossed by the fluid flowing in the heated ducts (12); - at least one electric heating wire (24) configured to be electrically connected with said at least one electric heater cable (16) through at least one electrical connection (26), and to heat the hydraulic connection assembly (18); said at least one electrical heating wire (24) extending along said hydraulic connection assembly (18); - a covering casing (28) fixed to the hydraulic connection assembly (18) in such a way as to cover said at least one electric heating wire (24); characterized in that said system (10) further comprises a support assembly (30) comprising in turn a pair of half-shells (32, 34) configured to be mounted in a reciprocally reclosable manner on said connection assembly (18); said support assembly (30) provides at least one seat (38) located inside at least one of the half-shells (28, 30) and which houses inside at least a portion of said at least one electric heating wire (24) , holding it in contact with the hydraulic connection assembly (18). 2. System according to claim 1, said support assembly (30) provides at least a clip portion (36) located on the outside of at least one of the half-shells (30, 32) and configured to retain said electrical connection (26) . System according to claim 1 or 2, in which said half-shells (32, 34) are connected to each other, for example they are made in one piece; said half-shells (32, 34) can be moved between an open condition, in which they are spaced apart, and a closed condition, in which they are coupled to each other, enclosing the intermediate hollow body (22) and at least part of said fittings (22). 4. System according to claim 3, in which said half-shells (32, 34) are rotatable relative to each other around an axis of rotation (X-X). 5. System according to claim 4, wherein said axis of rotation (X-X) is obtained from a weakened region (40) of said support assembly (30) located between said half-shells (32, 34). 6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said half-shells (30, 32) are provided with snap coupling means (42, 44) configured to allow mutual locking between said half-shells (32, 34) in the respective closed condition. System according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said fittings (20) for the heated ducts (12) are three and, with said intermediate hollow body, (22) form a T-duct. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one seat (38) is made by means of at least one groove (46) formed inside at least one of the half-shells (32, 34) and configured to house it internal at least a portion of said at least one electric heating wire (24). System according to claim 8, wherein said at least a portion of said at least one electric heating wire (24) enters and / or exits from said at least one groove (46) through at least one through opening (48) carried from at least one of said half-shells (32, 34) and which opens into said at least one groove (36). System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one electrical connection (26) is made by coupling a male connector (50) and a female connector (52), one of said connectors being carried by said at least one electric heating cable (16) and the other of said connectors being carried by said at least one electric heating wire (24). System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein around said at least one electrical connection (26) there is an electrically insulating sleeve (54). System according to claim 11, wherein said sleeve (54) is made of heat-shrinking material. 13. System according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support assembly (30) carries at least one appendix (58) configured to bind said support assembly (30) to said protective casing in a predetermined position. System according to claim 13, wherein said at least one appendix (58) is configured to hold said support assembly (30) in said predetermined position during insertion into an overmoulding mold and during the subsequent overmoulding step of said protective envelope (28) in said mold. System according to claim 13, wherein said at least one appendix (58) is configured to hold said support assembly (30) in said predetermined position, coupling by insertion into a corresponding portion having a mating shape and made in said casing protective (30)