Reducing Agent Supply Pressure Control via Throttle Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reducing agent supply apparatuses for internal-combustion engine exhaust gas purification systems face challenges in maintaining target reducing agent pressure, leading to deviations and decreased diagnostic accuracy when injection amounts significantly change.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a passage throttle valve with controlled opening adjustments based on the operation amount of the reducing agent injection valve, in conjunction with feedback-control of the pump output, to maintain target pressure and prevent large deviations in reducing agent pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If feedback-control of pump output is used to maintain target reducing agent pressure, then pressure control is achieved, but large pressure deviations occur when injection amount significantly increases or decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control stabilityVSAvoidinjection amount accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A passage throttle valve is introduced as an intermediary component in the return passage to mediate pressure control. The valve adjusts return flow based on injection valve operation amount, preventing large pressure deviations when injection amount changes significantly, thereby stabilizing supply pressure without directly controlling pump output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If reducing agent injection valve operation amount changes significantly, then injection control flexibility is improved, but pressure deviation from target pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection amount adjustabilityVSAvoidpressure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives signals about the injection valve operation amount and uses this feedback to proactively adjust the passage throttle valve opening. This feedback mechanism allows the system to anticipate pressure changes and compensate in advance, maintaining pressure stability even when injection amount changes significantly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If passage throttle valve opening is adjusted according to injection valve operation amount, then pressure stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit integrates multiple functions: it controls both the injection valve and the passage throttle valve, and receives pressure sensor feedback. By merging these control functions into a single control unit, the system manages the additional complexity efficiently while achieving superior pressure control accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration ensures accurate injection of liquid reducing agent in proportion to NOx levels, enhances diagnostic control precision, and reduces pressure deviations, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of exhaust gas purification.

Implementation Method 1

feedback-controlling the output of the pump based on the difference between the reducing agent pressure and the target pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback control: Feedback

Implementation Method 2

a passage throttle valve control means for controlling the opening of the passage throttle valve according to the change in the operation amount of the reducing agent injection valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThrottle valve flow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP2730762B1Reducing agent supply device and exhaust gas purification apparatus for internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2016.12.21 BOSCH CORP
  • EP2730762B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2730762B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2730762B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A reducing agent supply apparatus that can reduce the state of large deviation of the pressure within a reducing agent supply passage from a target pressure and an exhaust gas purification apparatus including such a reducing agent supply apparatus are provided. A reducing agent supply apparatus including a pump, a reducing agent injection valve, a reducing agent supply passage, a reducing agent return passage and a pressure sensor, in which injection control of the liquid reducing agent by the reducing agent injection valve is performed while the reducing agent pressure is controlled so as to be maintained at a predetermined target pressure, includes: a passage throttle valve provided on the reducing agent return passage and having an opening controlled by energization; a pump control means for feedback-controlling the output of the pump based on the difference between the reducing agent pressure and the target pressure; and a passage throttle valve control means for controlling the opening of the passage throttle valve according to the change in the operation amount of the reducing agent injection valve.