Particulate Filter Regeneration Using Torque Converter Lockup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for service regeneration of particulate filters (PFs) due to soot loading are time-consuming, as they require placing a vehicle in park or neutral and elevating engine speed to achieve high temperatures for soot combustion, necessitating more efficient systems and methods.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an engine control module configured to determine if the particulate filter is above a regeneration limit and if the transmission is in park or neutral, locking the input shaft to elevate engine speed and retard spark to increase the filter temperature, potentially above 600°C for effective soot combustion, while avoiding regeneration if below the limit or in drive/reverse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle is placed in park or neutral and engine speed is elevated to achieve high temperature for soot combustion, then the particulate filter regeneration is effective, but the process becomes very time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters of the torque converter by locking the input shaft to the transmission, which fundamentally alters the torque multiplication characteristics and enables rapid temperature increase in the particulate filter, reducing regeneration time while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic or pulsed activation of the torque converter lock to achieve the necessary temperature conditions for soot combustion, allowing the regeneration process to complete more quickly through intermittent high-temperature exposure rather than continuous operation
2Productivity
If the input shaft is locked to the transmission and engine speed is elevated, then the temperature in the particulate filter increases rapidly for efficient soot combustion, but the system complexity increases due to additional control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The torque converter lock mechanism serves multiple functions: it acts as a normal torque multiplication device during vehicle operation and as a temperature generation mechanism during particulate filter regeneration, eliminating the need for separate dedicated regeneration hardware and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the engine's own operation and the torque converter's inherent locking capability to generate the necessary heat for regeneration, rather than requiring an external heating system or separate regeneration mechanism, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture
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 time required for service regeneration by ensuring efficient soot combustion in the particulate filter, optimizing the process by only initiating regeneration when necessary and in the correct vehicle state.
Implementation Method 1
elevating the engine speed to retard the spark in the engine and increase the temperature in the particulate filter... to combust and remove the soot
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises an engine, a torque converter connected to the engine, a transmission connected to the torque converter via an input shaft, a particulate filter connected to the engine, an engine control module connected to the engine, the transmission, and the particulate filter, the engine control module being configured to perform service regeneration operations to lock the input shaft to the transmission and elevate the engine speed to retard the spark in the engine and increase the temperature in the particulate filter.