Vehicle Ventilation Control During Exhaust Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exhaust systems face challenges in preventing the entry of unpleasant regeneration gases into the vehicle's personnel space when the vehicle is stationary or moving at low speeds, as these gases can be drawn into the ventilation system and pose a nuisance to occupants.

Innovation Solution

A control unit monitors the regeneration process and synchronizes with the vehicle's ventilation system to halt air intake from the surroundings during regeneration, ensuring that air is either completely or substantially shut off when the vehicle is stationary or moving below a certain speed, and recirculates air within the vehicle to maintain cleanliness and temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the vehicle ventilation system draws air from the surroundings during regeneration at low speeds, then the ventilation system can provide fresh air to the personnel space, but regeneration gases containing hydrocarbons and unpleasant smells can enter the vehicle interior and expose occupants to them

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefresh air supply to personnel spaceVSAvoidexposure to regeneration gases in personnel space
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit preemptively shuts off the ventilation system's air intake from the surroundings before or during regeneration when the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly. This preliminary action prevents regeneration gases from being drawn into the personnel space in the first place, rather than attempting to remove or neutralize the gases after they have contaminated the interior air

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for potential gas contamination by monitoring vehicle speed and regeneration status, and proactively switches the ventilation system to recirculation mode or shuts off external air intake in advance. This ensures that even if regeneration gases are produced, they cannot enter the personnel space through the ventilation system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the vehicle is stationary or moving at low speeds during regeneration, then occupants are at risk of exposure to regeneration gases drawn into the ventilation system, but shutting off air intake from surroundings reduces fresh air supply to the personnel space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of regeneration gas entry into personnel spaceVSAvoidfresh air supply to personnel space
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time conditions including vehicle speed and regeneration status. When the vehicle is moving above a threshold speed, the system allows normal fresh air intake. When the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly during regeneration, the system automatically switches to recirculation mode or shuts off external air intake, thereby adapting the ventilation strategy to current operational conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors vehicle speed and regeneration status, using this feedback to determine when to shut off or reduce external air intake to the ventilation system. This closed-loop control ensures that the ventilation system responds appropriately to changing conditions, preventing gas contamination while maintaining fresh air supply when safe

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Prevents the entry of regeneration gases into the vehicle's interior by ensuring that air from the surroundings is not drawn in during regeneration at low speeds, maintaining a healthy and odor-free environment for occupants.

Implementation Method 1

the monitoring unit stops the supply of air to the personnel space from the surroundings where there may be gases from the regeneration process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow control:

Implementation Method 2

recirculates air within the vehicle to maintain cleanliness and temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir recirculation: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2627526B1Arrangement and method for controlling a ventilation system
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 SCANIA CV AB
  • EP2627526B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

An arrangement comprises a combustion engine (11), an exhaust system (12) and a particle filter (16) for gathering of particles in the exhaust gases. The arrangement comprises also a ventilation system for regulation of air supply to a personnel space (14) in the vicinity of the engine. Regeneration of the filter (16) results in release of gases which it is desired should not reach the personnel space (14). The arrangement is therefore so configured that during a regeneration process the ventilation system prevents air from being introduced from the surroundings into the personnel space. The arrangement may for example be part of a vehicle.