Working Machine Filter PM Deposition Alarm

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Working machines with diesel engines face the challenge of preventing filter damage due to excessive particulate matter (PM) accumulation during movement to a regeneration site, especially in flammable environments, where manual regeneration is required.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a diesel engine, an exhaust treatment device with a filter, regeneration control means, estimation of actual and movement-associated PM deposition, and an alarm device to notify operators when the PM level reaches a safe threshold for regeneration, ensuring the filter is not damaged by excessive PM accumulation during movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual regeneration is performed in flammable environments by moving the machine to a safe location, then working safety is improved, but PM accumulation during movement may exceed permissible levels causing filter damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking safetyVSAvoidfilter damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary estimation of PM deposition quantity before movement begins. The alarm device activates beforehand to notify the operator to move the machine to a regeneration location, ensuring that PM accumulation during transit does not exceed the filter's permissible limit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors actual PM deposition quantity through sensors and compares it against calculated thresholds. This feedback mechanism allows dynamic adjustment of alarm timing based on real-time filter loading conditions, preventing excessive accumulation that would cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the alarm is activated based on reference PM deposition quantity without considering movement time, then the regeneration timing is simplified, but excessive PM accumulation during movement may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregeneration timingVSAvoidfilter protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the alarm activation threshold by subtracting the estimated PM deposition during movement time from the reference deposition quantity. This parameter modification ensures that the alarm triggers at the appropriate moment, accounting for the additional accumulation that will occur during transit to the regeneration location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automatic regeneration is used instead of manual regeneration, then the need to move the machine is eliminated, but safety concerns in flammable environments remain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregeneration efficiencyVSAvoidsafety in flammable environment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The alarm device serves as an intermediary between the PM monitoring system and the operator. It provides timely warnings that enable manual intervention at the optimal moment, bridging the gap between continuous monitoring and discrete manual regeneration actions in safety-critical environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 excessive PM deposition and subsequent filter damage by accurately determining the appropriate time to initiate regeneration, ensuring safe operation in potentially flammable environments.

Implementation Method 1

an exhaust treatment device having a filter to trap PM contained in exhaust gases of the engine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

compulsorily elevates an exhaust temperature by allowing a certain quantity of fuel to stay in the exhaust gases of the engine to compulsorily regenerate the filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP2280153B1Working machine
Publication Date: 2015.02.25 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP2280153B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2280153B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2280153B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a working machine capable of preventing damage to a filter due to excessive accumulation of PM, even under a situation that requires, prior to compulsory regeneration of the filter, moving the machine to a place in which to perform regeneration work. The working machine that includes an exhaust treatment device 4 having a filter 6 to trap particulate matter (PM), a regeneration control section 31 for compulsorily regenerating the filter, and a regeneration instruction device 23 for instructing the regeneration control section 31 to start the compulsory regeneration, further includes: an element 35 for estimating an actual quantity of PM deposited, A; an element 36 in which a reference quantity of deposition, B, is stored; an element 37 for estimating a movement-associated quantity of PM deposition, C, the quantity of PM likely to be deposited during movement of the working machine to the place of regeneration; an element 39 for determining whether the actual PM deposition quantity A estimated by the actual-deposition quantity estimating element has reached a deposition alarm level D derived by subtracting the movement-associated PM deposition quantity C from the reference deposition quantity B; and an alarm device 12 that upon the deposition quantity estimating element's determining that the actual PM deposition quantity A has reached the deposition alarm level D, notifies to an operator that a time has come to start the movement of the working machine to the place of regeneration.