Engine Speed Control During Particulate Filter Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively detect failures in electrical energy consumers during particulate filter regeneration, leading to potential thermal damage and reduced filtration efficiency due to uncontrolled combustion, especially in urban driving conditions with high soot loading.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for controlling engine speed by monitoring the status of electrical energy consumers, particularly the motor-fan unit, to detect failures and maintain nominal idle speed, using differential pressure and alternator load thresholds to ensure safe and efficient particulate filter regeneration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If autonomous active regeneration is triggered at high particle mass threshold in urban driving conditions, then particulate filter regeneration is achieved, but thermal runaway risk increases and filter integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticulate filter regeneration reliabilityVSAvoidthermal damage risk to particulate filter
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors electrical energy consumer status during regeneration and adjusts engine speed accordingly. When a failure is detected, the system provides feedback by reducing engine speed to nominal idle speed, preventing thermal runaway and protecting the particulate filter from thermal damage while maintaining regeneration reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts engine speed based on real-time detection of electrical energy consumer failures. By modifying the engine operating parameters (speed) in response to detected failures, the system prevents thermal runaway conditions and protects filter integrity during the regeneration process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If engine speed is increased to improve regeneration efficiency, then combustion temperature increases and regeneration is faster, but fuel consumption increases and thermal damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregeneration speedVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the engine speed parameter based on the operational status. During normal regeneration, engine speed is maintained at optimal levels for efficient combustion and fast regeneration. When electrical energy consumer failure is detected, the system changes the parameter to nominal idle speed, reducing fuel consumption and preventing thermal runaway while maintaining acceptable regeneration progress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If electrical energy consumers are activated to increase engine load during regeneration, then combustion efficiency improves and regeneration is enhanced, but system complexity increases and failure detection becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregeneration efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing electrical energy consumer status signals to detect failures and automatically adjust engine speed. The monitoring function leverages data already available from the vehicle's electrical system, eliminating the need for separate complex detection devices while maintaining high regeneration efficiency and automatic failure response

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces particulate filter clogging and ensures filter integrity by maintaining nominal idle speed, reducing fuel consumption and extending service intervals, while avoiding thermal runaway and mechanical intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a differential pressure sensor located upstream and downstream of the particulate filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDifferential pressure measurement: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor disposed upstream of said particulate filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature measurement: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

the combustion of these particles is achieved through a specific combustion setting that provides sufficient oxygen concentration and temperature at the particulate filter inlet to allow for efficient combustion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 4

the combustion of these particles is achieved through a specific combustion setting that provides sufficient oxygen concentration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP4430290B1Method and system for monitoring consumers of electrical energy and controlling the engine speed of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 HORSE POWERTRAIN SOLUTIONS S L U
  • EP4430290B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4430290B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4430290B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (100) for controlling an internal combustion engine comprising a fresh air intake manifold, an exhaust manifold and a depollution system comprising at least one first depollution device and a particulate filter disposed in the exhaust line downstream of an oxidation catalyst, the depollution system further comprising a differential pressure sensor installed upstream and downstream of the particulate filter and a temperature sensor disposed upstream of said particulate filter. The state of the consumers of electrical energy within a recommended driving engine operating mode during an autonomous regeneration phase of the particulate filter is monitored to detect the failure of any consumer of electrical energy capable of drawing torque from the engine, and the engine speed is controlled on the basis of the detection of the failure of any consumer of electrical energy.