Exhaust gas recirculation line holder

The invention relates to an exhaust gas recirculation line holder of an internal combustion engine.

An exhaust gas recirculation system is used to reduce nitrogen oxides (NO_x) during combustion of fuels in internal combustion engines, for example in Otto or diesel engines, in order to adhere to the stipulated emissions limit values specifically for internal combustion engines.

The exhaust gas recirculation line is usually configured in the form of a connecting pipe extending between an exhaust gas pipe and an intake pipe and is provided with a control valve. Here, fresh air which is sucked in by the intake pipe is mixed with exhaust gas which is recirculated from the exhaust gas pipe. As a result, the calorific value of a fuel/combustion gas mixture is reduced and the temperature which is required for the formation of nitrogen oxides is no longer reached in the combustion chamber.

DE 197 01 873 C1 discloses a holding device for an exhaust gas recirculation line of an internal combustion engine, wherein the exhaust gas recirculation line is supported on the internal combustion engine via a support which is fixed to the engine. A line section of the exhaust gas recirculation line is included in the support to form one component.

It is the object of the invention to provide an improved exhaust gas recirculation line holder of an internal combustion engine, which reduces time and costs required for the assembly and utilizes installation space in an optimum manner.

In an exhaust gas recirculation line holder of an internal combustion engine wherein a line section of an exhaust gas recirculation line is integrated into the holder which is supported on the engine block and/or the vehicle frame, the holder is provided with a shaped part, in particular a cast part, with the line section of the exhaust gas recirculation line formed therein and a support structure also being formed integrally with the holder.

As a result of this integrated configuration of the exhaust gas recirculation line in a connecting component, the installation space available within the engine compartment is utilized in an optimum manner. A part of the connecting component is preferably in the form of a support element, in particular a support eye. As a result of the integration of a line section of the exhaust gas recirculation line into a connecting component which also includes a support structure in the form of a suspension eye, an additional separate holding device is not needed, as a result of which the manufacturing and assembly costs and assembly time and also the weight of the arrangement are reduced.

In one particular embodiment, the integrated line section of the exhaust gas recirculation line for integration into the connecting structure preferably has an enlarged flow cross section, as a result of which the pressure drop is reduced. Higher exhaust gas recirculation rates can be achieved as a result of the increase in the line cross section. As a result, the emission of nitrogen oxides, in particular of a motor vehicle, can be reduced. As a result of the increase in the line cross section using the same amount of installation space, the latter is utilized in an optimum manner and the weight is reduced considerably.

In one particularly simple embodiment, the connecting structure is formed with the suspension eye and the integrated exhaust gas recirculation line as a shaped part. As a result, separate holding and connecting elements for holding and fastening the exhaust gas recirculation line can be omitted.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail below on the basis of the accompanying drawings: