Exhaust Gas Sampling Apparatus with Variable Flow Rate Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exhaust gas analysis systems for hybrid vehicles face challenges in maintaining analysis accuracy when the engine is stopped, as they either dilute the exhaust gas or result in insufficient sampling, and are not suitable for tests requiring continuous sampling over a predetermined time.

Innovation Solution

An exhaust gas analysis system with a flow rate changeable mechanism that adjusts the main and sampling flow rates based on the engine's operation state, using a control device to switch between different venturi configurations to maintain a constant ratio and ensure sufficient sampling without dilution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If sampling continues at the same flow rate when the engine is stopped, then the sampling amount in the sampling bag is sufficient, but the exhaust gas is diluted with diluent gas reducing analysis accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesampling amountVSAvoidanalysis accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the sampling flow rate variable rather than constant. The control device dynamically adjusts the sampling flow rate based on engine operation state: maintaining a first sampling flow rate during engine operation and switching to a second, smaller sampling flow rate when the engine stops. This dynamic adjustment allows continuous sampling without dilution during engine stop conditions while ensuring sufficient sampling amount during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the flow rate parameter of the sampling system based on engine state. By switching between a first sampling flow rate (during operation) and a second sampling flow rate (during stop), the system adapts to different operating conditions. This parameter change enables the system to prevent dilution during engine stop while maintaining adequate sampling volume during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If sampling stops when the engine is stopped, then the exhaust gas is not diluted, but the sampling amount becomes insufficient for analysis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis accuracyVSAvoidsampling amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the sampling flow rate rather than simply stopping sampling. When the engine stops, the control device reduces the sampling flow rate to a smaller second flow rate instead of halting sampling completely. This dynamic adjustment maintains continuous sampling (preventing exhaust gas stagnation) while reducing dilution, and ensures sufficient total sampling amount accumulates in the sampling bag for subsequent analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous sampling action throughout both engine operation and stop states. By switching to a reduced second sampling flow rate during engine stop rather than stopping sampling entirely, the system ensures continuous gas flow through the system (preventing stagnation) while maintaining adequate sampling volume accumulation for analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If sampling stops when the engine switches from operation to stop state, then dilution is prevented, but exhaust gas remains in the flow path causing measurement errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuous sampling action by maintaining a second sampling flow rate during engine stop state rather than stopping sampling. This continuous gas flow prevents exhaust gas from remaining stagnant in the flow paths and sampling system, eliminating measurement errors caused by gas stagnation while still preventing dilution by reducing (not eliminating) the sampling flow during engine stop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the sampling flow rate in response to engine state changes. When the engine transitions from operation to stop, the control device switches from the first sampling flow rate to the second sampling flow rate, maintaining continuous but reduced sampling. This dynamic response prevents both dilution (by reducing flow) and gas stagnation (by maintaining continuous flow).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution prevents dilution of exhaust gas in the sampling bag, ensures a sufficient sampling amount, and allows for continuous sampling over a predetermined time, maintaining analysis accuracy and preventing gas stagnation in the analysis system.

Implementation Method 1

a flow rate changeable mechanism that is provided in the main flow path and configured to be able to change a main flow rate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3505904B1Exhaust gas sampling apparatus and method having a flow rate changeable mechanism
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 HORIBA LTD
  • EP3505904B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3505904B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3505904B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to provide an exhaust gas analysis system that can accurately analyze exhaust gas discharged from an engine of a hybrid vehicle and can also be applied to a test that continues sampling into a sampling bag over a predetermined sampling time, a sampling apparatus 102 is adapted to include: a main flow path ML through which the exhaust gas flows; a sampling flow path SL that is connected to the main flow path ML to sample the exhaust gas into a sampling bag SB; and a constant flow rate mechanism 30 that is provided in the main flow path ML and configured to be able to change a main flow rate that is an exhaust gas flow rate through the main flow path ML. In addition, a control device 40 is adapted to, depending on whether the engine is in an operation state or in a stop state, control the constant flow rate mechanism 30 to change the main flow rate, as well as change a sampling flow rate that is an exhaust gas flow rate through the sampling flow path SL.