Method and system for operator interface with a diesel particulate filter regeneration system

• US 8,265,819 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2008
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Group North America LLC (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: Quigley, Jon Michael, Blackard, Michael Dean, Niemczyk, Robert Thomas, McKinley, Michael Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Khatib, Rami
• Application Number:
  US12/012,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20090198402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,680 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/29.1, 701/29.2, 701/29.4, 701/32.8, 701/34.4, 701/99, 701/115
• US Class Current: 701/29.1
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/03 the substance being hydrocarbons, e.g. engine fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/0238 for regenerating during engine standstill
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/035 with catalytic reactors , e.g. catalysed diesel particulate filters
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 9/002 of filter regeneration, e.g. detection of clogging
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A vehicle operator interface system and method for a diesel particulate filter regeneration system, includes a control unit for receiving information on regeneration status of a vehicle diesel particulate filter and receiving information on operational status of selected vehicle systems and components, a visual display for displaying messages to an operator indicative of said regeneration status and said operational status, an input device for highlighting a portion of the displayed messages and for providing an input selection of a highlighted portion, an input selection being communicated to a control device to carry out the input selection.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a vehicle diesel particulate filter regeneration system, comprising the steps of:

receiving information regarding a load status of a diesel particulate filter;

displaying a message on a display for an operator indicative of said received information, said message requesting an action by the operator;

displaying selectable actions on the display responsive to screen selection inputs from the operator, a selectable action being selectable by highlighting said action on the display and activating a selecting device;

receiving a selected action input from the operator; and

,

transmitting said selected action to a control device that will carry out the selected action.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectable actions include initiating a regeneration and inhibiting a regeneration.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying a message indicative of the received information includes displaying a message prompting the operator to initiate a regeneration.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an input from the operator requesting vehicle systems status, and responsive thereto, displaying status information on selected vehicle systems.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an input from the operator to initiate a regeneration, checking a status of predetermined vehicle system requisites, and one of initiating the regeneration and indicating to the operator that initiating the regeneration failed.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an input from the operator of one of inhibit regeneration and permit regeneration, and controlling a regeneration system responsive thereto.

7. A vehicle operator interface system for a diesel particulate filter regeneration system, comprising:

means for receiving information on regeneration status of a vehicle diesel particulate filter and receiving information on operational status of selected vehicle systems and components;

a visual display for displaying messages to an operator indicative of said regeneration status and said operational status;

a device for highlighting a portion of the displayed messages and for providing an input selection of a highlighted portion; and

,

means for receiving the input selection and for communicating the input selection to a control device to carry out the input selection.

8. The vehicle operator interface system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the device for highlighting a portion of the displayed messages and for providing an input selection of a highlighted portion comprises a stalk switch positionable on a steering column.

9. The vehicle operator interface system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the visual display is an instrument cluster display.

10. A method of interfacing with a vehicle diesel particulate filter regeneration system, comprising the steps of;

displaying a message on an interactive instrument cluster display indicative of a load status of a diesel particulate filter, said message prompting an input by an operator using an input device acting through the interactive display to obtain selectable actions relating to the load status;

displaying selectable actions on the interactive display responsive to the input from the operator, the selectable actions including an action initiating a regeneration and an action inhibiting a regeneration, each selectable action being selectable by highlighting said action on the display and being selected by the operator activating the action using the input device;

receiving a selected action input from the operator; and

,

transmitting said selected action to a control device that will carry out the selected action.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving an input from the operator requesting vehicle systems status, and responsive thereto, displaying status information on selected vehicle systems.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein, upon receiving a selected action input from the operator to initiate a regeneration, the method further comprising determining a status of predetermined vehicle system requisites, and, responsive to the determined status, one of initiating the regeneration and indicating to the operator that initiating the regeneration failed.