Particulate Filter Regeneration Using a Decoupled Engine Air Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
The regeneration of particulate filters in motor vehicles is hindered by low exhaust gas temperatures and reduced oxygen levels, especially in hybrid vehicles with electric machine support, leading to prolonged regeneration processes and potential driving experience issues.
Innovation Solution
A method that decouples the internal combustion engine from the powertrain output and uses the electric machine for vehicle propulsion, while running the decoupled internal combustion engine as an air pump to increase oxygen levels in the exhaust gas, allowing for independent and efficient particulate filter regeneration without driver intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the powertrain output and run as an air pump, then oxygen levels in exhaust gas are increased for efficient soot burning, but the complexity of the powertrain control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The powertrain control is segmented into distinct operational modes: coupled combustion mode for propulsion, decoupled motoring mode for oxygen generation during regeneration, and transitional modes. This segmentation allows each mode to be optimized independently, managing complexity through modular control strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between coupled and decoupled engine states based on regeneration requirements and driving conditions. The control system continuously adjusts engine operation, enabling adaptive optimization of oxygen supply while maintaining overall system manageability through real-time state changes.
2Ease of operation
If the internal combustion engine is decoupled and motored to supply oxygen, then the regeneration process can be carried out independently of driver behavior, but the control system must actively manage the decoupling and propulsion coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically initiates and manages the regeneration process without driver intervention. It self-regulates engine decoupling, motoring speed, and electric machine propulsion coordination, making the system operate autonomously once regeneration is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the decoupled internal combustion engine (oxygen source) and the electric machine (propulsion source). It mediates the interaction between these components to achieve seamless regeneration while maintaining vehicle propulsion.
3Quantity of substance
If the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the powertrain output, then oxygen levels increase for soot burning, but the electric machine must provide all propulsion force
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine performs dual functions: providing vehicle propulsion during engine decoupling and potentially assisting in engine motoring to maintain exhaust flow. This multi-functionality allows the system to meet both propulsion and oxygen generation requirements without requiring separate dedicated components.
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 significantly reduces the duration of the regeneration process, ensures efficient soot burning, and maintains vehicle propulsion without noticeable overrun, thus improving the driving experience and adhering to stringent emissions regulations.
Implementation Method 1
During its decoupling, the internal combustion engine, while running, may be used as a kind of air pump to increase the oxygen in the exhaust gas to a sufficient level
Implementation Method 2
providing, at least partly timely overlapping with the decoupling of the internal combustion engine, vehicle propulsion by at least one electric machine
Implementation Method 3
a particulate filter is provided to reduce the particulates present in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine
Implementation Method 4
a process to burn off soot in a targeted manner and thereby remove it
Implementation Method 5
Such a regeneration process typically requires a sufficiently high exhaust gas temperature and a sufficiently high oxygen level to burn the soot
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method are provided for carrying out a regeneration process of a particulate filter of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes control circuitry configured to control decoupling, in the regeneration process, of an internal combustion engine from an output of a powertrain of the motor vehicle. Further, the control circuitry is configured to control providing, at least partly timely overlapping with the decoupling of the internal combustion engine, vehicle propulsion by at least one electric machine of the motor vehicle. The control circuitry is also configured to control running of the decoupled internal combustion engine.