Particle Filter Presence Detection Using Mass Flow Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for diagnosing the presence and operation of a particulate filter in internal combustion engines are complex and time-consuming, requiring high calculation times and relying on soot load measurements.

Innovation Solution

A method that samples mass flow rate and differential pressure values between the upstream and downstream zones of the particulate filter, calculating a time integral of the mass flow and a presence criterion, which is compared to thresholds to determine the filter's presence and operation, allowing for rapid and reliable detection independent of soot load measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex methods with high calculation times are used to determine particulate filter operation, then measurement precision can be improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoiddiagnostic speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and uses only the essential parameters (mass flow rate and differential pressure) needed to determine filter operation, eliminating unnecessary complex calculations and soot load measurements from the diagnostic process. This selective extraction of critical parameters enables fast and reliable detection without requiring comprehensive analysis of all possible filter states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If soot load measurements are required to determine filter operation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter operation detection accuracyVSAvoiddiagnostic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the requirement for soot load measurements from the diagnostic process, extracting only the essential parameters of mass flow rate and differential pressure. This simplification eliminates the need for complex soot loading calculations and associated sensors, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The diagnostic method uses the filter's own operational parameters (mass flow and pressure differential) to self-diagnose its operation status, eliminating the need for external soot load measurement systems. The filter essentially monitors its own performance through its inherent operational characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If comprehensive diagnostic methods are used to determine particulate filter presence, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoiddiagnostic time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using only the necessary parameters (mass flow rate and differential pressure) rather than comprehensive analysis of all possible filter states and soot load conditions. This selective approach provides sufficient reliability for filter presence and operation detection without requiring exhaustive diagnostic procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3765720B1Method and device for determining the presence and the operation of a particle filter
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 RENAULT SA
  • EP3765720B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3765720B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3765720B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining the presence and the operation of a particle filter (18) of a controlled-ignition internal combustion engine, said internal combustion engine producing exhaust gases at a variable flow rate, said exhaust gases being guided through said particle filter (18) between an upstream area (20) and a downstream area (22) of said particle filter (18). According to said method, for each sampling instant, on the basis of sampled values of flow rate and differential pressure of the gases, a time integral value of the mass flow rate and a presence criterion value corresponding to the sum of the sampled differential pressure values are calculated; and when said time integral value of the mass flow rate reaches or exceeds a high threshold value, the presence criterion value is compared with a presence threshold value in such a way as to determine the presence and the operation of the particle filter (18).