Abnormality Diagnosis for Partially-Plugged Filter and PM Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to accurately diagnose abnormalities in internal combustion engines, partially-plugged filters, and PM sensors due to increased pressure loss and overlapping PM detection issues, making it difficult to pinpoint the location of abnormalities.

Innovation Solution

An abnormality diagnosis device is implemented, featuring a partially-plugged filter with a pressure difference sensor and PM sensor, along with estimation methods to distinguish between PM amounts flowing into, being captured by, and flowing out of the filter, allowing for precise determination of engine, filter, and sensor abnormalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a partially-plugged filter is used to reduce pressure loss, then pressure loss decreases, but PM capturing rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure lossVSAvoidPM capturing rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is divided into multiple cells (first cells and second cells) with different configurations. First cells have both inlet and outlet ends closed, while second cells have inlet end open and outlet end closed. This segmentation allows different regions of the filter to serve different functions, balancing pressure loss reduction with PM capturing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different cells within the filter have different local structures and functions. The first cells (closed at both ends) provide PM capturing functionality, while the second cells (open at inlet, closed at outlet) provide bypass functionality to reduce pressure loss. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between capturing rate and pressure loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If a PM sensor is used to detect PM amount, then PM detection capability is improved, but ability to pinpoint abnormality location deteriorates due to overlapping detection issues

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePM detection capabilityVSAvoidabnormality location identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The filter outlet is divided into multiple outlet portions corresponding to different cells. A PM sensor is provided for each outlet portion to detect PM amounts specifically from that region. This segmentation of detection allows identification of which specific cell or region is experiencing abnormalities, resolving the ambiguity of location identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple PM sensors act as intermediaries between the different cells and the diagnosis system. Each sensor provides localized PM detection data, enabling the system to pinpoint which specific cell or region is experiencing abnormalities rather than treating the entire filter as a single unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables accurate identification of abnormalities in the engine, filter, and PM sensor by comparing estimated PM amounts, thereby pinpointing the location of issues within the system.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure difference sensor detecting a difference between an exhaust pressure on an upstream side of the partially-plugged filter and an exhaust pressure on a downstream side of the partially-plugged filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference detection:

Implementation Method 2

a PM sensor detecting an amount of PM in an exhaust gas which has passed through the partially-plugged filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParticulate matter detection:

Implementation Method 3

a first estimation portion estimating a diagnosis amount of PM, which is one of an amount of PM flowing into the partially-plugged filter, an amount of PM captured in the partially-plugged filter, and an amount of PM flowing out from the partially-plugged filter, according to a running condition of the internal combustion engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPM amount estimation based on running conditions:

Implementation Method 4

a second estimation portion estimating the diagnosis amount of PM according to an output of the pressure difference sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPM amount estimation from pressure difference:

Implementation Method 5

a third estimation portion estimating the diagnosis amount of PM according to an output of the PM sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPM amount estimation from sensor output:

Data Source

PatentUS10072542B2Abnormality diagnosis device

Publication Date: 2018.09.11 DENSO CORP

AI summary

An abnormality diagnosis device includes a partially-plugged filter, a pressure difference sensor, a PM sensor, a first estimation portion estimating a diagnosis amount of PM from the partially-plugged filter, according to a running condition of the internal combustion engine, a second estimation portion estimating the diagnosis amount of PM according to an output of the pressure difference sensor, a third estimation portion estimating the diagnosis amount of PM according to an output of the PM sensor, and an abnormality diagnosis portion distinctly determining an abnormality of the internal combustion engine, an abnormality of the partially-plugged filter, and an abnormality of the PM sensor by comparing the diagnosis amount of PM estimated by the first estimation portion, the diagnosis amount of PM estimated by the second estimation portion, and the diagnosis amount of PM estimated by the third estimation portion.