Particulate Matter Measurement Device for Dynamic Exhaust Gas Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring the mass of particulate matter in exhaust gases from engines, such as the filter mass method, are batch-type and cannot provide real-time data during dynamic driving conditions, requiring correlations from static conditions which are not applicable during road travel, leading to inaccurate measurements.

Innovation Solution

A particulate matter measurement device that includes a dilutor, a mass-related value measurement device, a collection filter, a flow rate adjusting device, and an information processing unit to continuously measure and correlate the mass of particulate matter in real-time by maintaining a constant flow rate and using a correlation between static and dynamic conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the filter mass method is used to measure PM mass, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the measurement can only be conducted in batch mode and cannot provide real-time data during dynamic driving conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePM mass measurement accuracyVSAvoidreal-time measurement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the filter mass method with a dynamic driving condition measurement device, merging the accuracy of batch measurement with the capability for real-time monitoring during actual driving conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and real-time productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from static batch measurement to dynamic real-time measurement by implementing a measurement system that operates during actual driving conditions, enabling continuous monitoring of PM mass while the vehicle is in motion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If correlation data from static conditions is used to estimate PM mass during dynamic driving, then real-time measurement is enabled, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to the mismatch between static correlation and dynamic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time measurement capabilityVSAvoidPM mass measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism that uses actual measurement data from dynamic driving conditions to continuously refine and update correlation models, ensuring that the estimation accuracy is maintained or improved while enabling real-time measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent conducts preliminary measurements under various dynamic driving conditions to establish accurate correlation data before actual use, preparing the measurement system in advance with condition-specific correlation information to ensure accuracy during real-time operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If additional hardware is added to enable continuous PM mass measurement during dynamic driving, then real-time measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous measurement capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a measurement device that performs multiple functions - conducting both batch measurements and continuous real-time measurements during dynamic driving conditions - thereby enabling continuous measurement capability without proportionally increasing device complexity through multi-functional integration

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

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

Enables highly reliable continuous time-series data of particulate matter mass during dynamic driving conditions without additional hardware, avoiding measurement errors due to flow rate fluctuations and allowing for accurate mass measurement of particulate matter in real-time.

Implementation Method 1

a dilutor (1) that is connected to an exhaust pipe (E) of an automobile and connected to a dilution gas introducing inlet (Ia) and that mixes an exhaust gas from an engine of the automobile with a dilution gas so as to dilute the exhaust gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDilution:

Implementation Method 2

a collection filter (61) through which the remainder of the diluted exhaust gas passes and that collects the particulate matters contained in the remainder of the diluted exhaust gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2730913B1Particulate matter measurement device
Publication Date: 2015.09.30 HORIBA LTD
  • EP2730913B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2730913B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2730913B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a particulate matter measurement device that continuously measures changes in a mass of particulate matters contained in an exhaust gas under dynamic operating conditions, such as road travel, with a simple construction. The device dilutes and separates the flow of exhaust gas while an engine is operating. The particulate matters contained in one of the exhaust gas streams are collected by a collection filter to measure the mass and the remainder is measured by a mass-related value measurement device so that physical properties which indirectly indicate the mass of the particulate matters contained in the exhaust gas are continuously measured as time series change data. Then, time series change data for the mass of the particulate matter are found based on correlations of the individual measured data. With this arrangement, the flow volume of the dilute exhaust gas that passes through the collection filter and the flow volume of the dilute exhaust gas that is introduced into the mass-related value measurement device are ensured by adjusting the flow volume of the diluting gas that dilutes the exhaust gas.