Hybrid Starter Generator Load Control for Soot Filter Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for regenerating soot filters in vehicles are inefficient, requiring a long time to heat the soot filter and often being interrupted by changes in operation conditions, necessitating a technology to reduce heating time and improve fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system and method that adjusts the load of a hybrid starter and generator based on the temperature of the soot filter during regeneration, directly increasing exhaust gas temperature and reducing the quantity of fuel needed, while also allowing natural regeneration during coasting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If post-injection fuel method is used to increase exhaust gas temperature, then soot filter regeneration is enabled, but heating time is excessively long and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts the required heating time before initiating regeneration and pre-charges the capacitor with electrical energy during the period before regeneration is needed. This preliminary energy storage allows the system to rapidly heat the exhaust gas when regeneration is required, avoiding the long heating time of conventional fuel post-injection methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the conventional thermal method (fuel post-injection) with an electrical method (capacitor discharge to HSG). By substituting chemical energy release with electrical energy conversion, the system achieves rapid temperature increase without the delays associated with fuel combustion and heat transfer processes.
2Temperature
If fuel post-injection is used for soot filter regeneration, then soot combustion is achieved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention substitutes fuel-based heating with electrical energy from a capacitor. The capacitor stores electrical energy during non-regeneration periods and releases it during regeneration, eliminating the need for additional fuel post-injection and thereby reducing fuel consumption while achieving the required temperature for soot combustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own electrical system resources (capacitor charged from the vehicle's electrical powertrain) to perform the heating function, rather than relying on additional fuel consumption. The capacitor acts as a self-contained energy reservoir that serves the regeneration need without external fuel input.
3Reliability
If conventional heating method is used, then soot filter regeneration can proceed, but the process is frequently stopped by operation condition changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts the heating time required for regeneration and pre-charges the capacitor before regeneration is actually needed. This ensures that when regeneration is initiated, the full electrical energy is immediately available, allowing the process to complete rapidly without being interrupted by changes in vehicle operation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts by using a capacitor that can rapidly discharge electrical energy regardless of external operating conditions. This dynamic energy availability ensures consistent regeneration completion even when vehicle operation conditions change during the process, unlike conventional methods that depend on sustained fuel injection and combustion conditions.
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 decreases the heating time of the soot filter, improves fuel efficiency by reducing fuel consumption, and ensures consistent regeneration of the soot filter, even during changes in operation conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a hybrid starter and generator (HSG) which generates electricity by starting the engine or by using energy generated in the engine
Implementation Method 2
an engine including a combustion chamber in which an air-fuel mixture is burned to generate energy
Implementation Method 3
a soot filter which is mounted to the exhaust pipe and collects particulate matters (soot) included in exhaust gas
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system includes: an engine including a combustion chamber in which an air-fuel mixture is burned to generate energy, an intake manifold which supplies air to the combustion chamber, an injector which supplies fuel to the combustion chamber, and an exhaust manifold which discharges exhaust gas generated by combustion of the air-fuel mixture through an exhaust pipe; a hybrid starter and generator (HSG) which generates electricity by starting the engine or by using energy generated in the engine; a soot filter which is mounted to the exhaust pipe and collects particulate matters (soot) included in exhaust gas; and a control unit which controls an operation of the injector and controls an operation of the HSG, in which when the quantity of soot is larger than a predetermined quantity, the control unit increases a size of a load of the HSG by a predetermined load quantity until a temperature of the soot filter reaches a predetermined temperature.