Lambda Control Soot Detection in Engine Air Intake

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting sooting in the air intake paths of internal combustion engines are either costly or require additional components, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential errors, and existing systems fail to effectively determine sooting in air intake paths using separate measuring systems.

Innovation Solution

The method utilizes existing lambda control systems to evaluate lambda controller values during specific engine speed phases, determining if the air intake path is sooted by analyzing the ratio of air to fuel, allowing for adaptive fuel injection adjustments without additional components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If hot-film air mass meters (HFMs) are used to measure actual air volume, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair volume measurement accuracyVSAvoidadditional components required
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing lambda control system to detect sooting conditions. The lambda sensor and control unit, already present for exhaust gas control, are utilized to monitor air intake path conditions, eliminating the need for separate HFM components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The lambda control system performs dual functions: traditional exhaust gas lambda control and additional sooting detection in the air intake path. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated sooting measurement devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If separate measuring systems are added to detect sooting, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesooting detection accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The existing lambda control system detects sooting conditions using its own components (lambda sensor, control unit) without requiring external or separate measurement systems. The system serves itself by utilizing already-installed hardware for additional detection functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sooting detection function is merged with the existing lambda control system. The control unit integrates both exhaust gas lambda control and air intake sooting detection into a single system, eliminating the need for separate measuring equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If existing lambda control system is used for sooting detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidsooting detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors lambda values and engine operating conditions to detect sooting. By analyzing changes in lambda behavior patterns during specific engine operations, the system accurately identifies sooting conditions through feedback from existing sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects sooting by monitoring parameter changes in the exhaust gas composition (lambda values) and engine operating parameters. Changes in these parameters indicate sooting conditions, allowing precise detection using existing measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3810916B1Method for determining and/or detecting an accumulation of soot in an air intake to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3810916B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3810916B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining and/or detecting an accumulation of soot in an air intake to at least one combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, particularly for determining the accumulation of soot in the air intake to at least one cylinder chamber of the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, wherein air is supplied via an air intake to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, wherein a fuel is supplied to the combustion chamber, the air and fuel mixture then present in the combustion chamber is also burned, and a lambda control is carried out by means of a lambda probe and a lambda controller. The determination and/or detection of the accumulation of soot in an air intake to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is carried out cost-effectively according to the invention in that at least a partial accumulation of soot in the air intake is determined and/or detected by means of an evaluation of a plurality of lambda controller values (Rλ).