Exhaust Gas Cleaning Portion Sulfur Release Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Exhaust gas control systems for internal combustion engines face challenges in efficiently managing sulfur compounds, leading to the generation of white smoke due to inadequate temperature-raising processes, which consume excessive fuel and reduce fuel efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a control method that estimates the accumulation of particulate components and sulfur compounds in the exhaust gas cleaning portion, using a sulfur release mode to gradually raise the temperature from 500°C to 550°C to release sulfur compounds, thereby reducing the frequency of temperature-raising processes and conserving energy sources like fuel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the frequency of temperature-raising process is increased to remove sulfur compounds, then white smoke generation is restrained, but fuel consumption increases and fuel efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewhite smoke generationVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary estimation of sulfur compound accumulation amounts before executing temperature-raising processes. By predicting when sulfur compounds will reach harmful accumulation levels, the system can schedule temperature-raising processes proactively rather than reactively, optimizing the timing to prevent white smoke while minimizing fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors exhaust gas conditions and sulfur compound accumulation, using this feedback to dynamically adjust the timing and duration of temperature-raising processes. The system modifies operational parameters based on real-time data to achieve the optimal balance between preventing white smoke and conserving fuel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If the frequency of temperature-raising process is decreased to save fuel, then fuel efficiency improves, but sulfur compounds accumulate and white smoke generates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidwhite smoke generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By estimating sulfur compound accumulation in advance, the system can plan temperature-raising processes before harmful levels are reached, allowing for less frequent but still effective interventions that maintain fuel efficiency while preventing white smoke generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device optimizes temperature-raising process parameters (temperature profile, duration, intensity) based on estimated sulfur accumulation levels. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves effective sulfur removal with minimal fuel consumption, balancing fuel efficiency and emission control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If temperature-raising process is executed without accurate estimation, then sulfur compounds are removed, but excessive fuel is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesulfur compound removal effectivenessVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/empirical temperature-raising control with a computational estimation system. The control device uses algorithms to calculate sulfur compound accumulation based on engine operating conditions, fuel sulfur content, and exhaust gas flow, substituting physical trial-and-error with intelligent prediction to optimize fuel usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates continuous feedback from exhaust gas sensors and engine monitoring to validate and refine sulfur accumulation estimates. This feedback loop ensures that temperature-raising processes are triggered only when necessary, preventing both under-treatment (white smoke) and over-treatment (excessive fuel consumption).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 approach effectively restrains the generation of white smoke while saving fuel by optimizing the temperature-raising control, ensuring accurate release of sulfur compounds within a controlled temperature range, thus maintaining the functionality of the exhaust gas cleaning system.

Implementation Method 1

a filter, such as a diesel particulate filter (DPF), is provided in the exhaust system so that particulate components contained in exhaust gas are collected by the filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

an oxidation catalytic converter (DOC) that causes the oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) contained in exhaust gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

an oxidation catalytic converter (DOC) that causes the oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) contained in exhaust gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 4

the DPF and the DOC are each heated to a predetermined temperature through post-injection of fuel or the like, so that the poisoning substances adsorbed to the DPF and the DOC are desorbed and released

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentEP2737192B1Exhaust gas control apparatus for internal combustion engines, and control method for exhaust gas control apparatus for internal combustion engines
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2737192B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2737192B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2737192B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An exhaust gas control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, includes an exhaust gas cleaning portion (11, 12) which is disposed in an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle, and which collects particulate components contained in exhaust gas, and in which sulfur compounds contained in the exhaust gas are accumulated. The exhaust gas control apparatus includes control means (20) for estimating an amount of accumulation of the sulfur compounds in the exhaust gas cleaning portion (11, 12), and executing a temperature-raising control of raising a temperature of the exhaust gas cleamng portion (11, 12) into a temperature range in which the sulfur compounds are released and generation of white smoke of the sulfur compounds in atmosphere is restrained, when the estimated amount of accumulation of the sulfur compounds reaches a release-demanding amount.