KRANTZ, Maria (Havrevägen 21, Floda, SE-448 36, SE)
WIKLUND, Torbjörn (Hillerströmsgatan 4, Trollhättan, SE-461 41, SE)
KRANTZ, Maria (Havrevägen 21, Floda, SE-448 36, SE)
| C L A I M S 1. A safety system (30) for a vehicle (10), the vehicle (10) including an engine (12) coupled to an exhaust gas aftertreatment system (20) with an exhaust outlet (26), characterized in that the safety system (30) includes a sensor assembly (33) coupled to a data processing unit (32) for monitoring a predefined region (40) surrounding the exhaust outlet (26) for detecting a presence of an object (46) in the predefined region (40) and for modifying operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system (20) in response to the object (46) being detected. 2. The system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the predefined region (40) is representing a safety region (42, 44) which size is dependent on an exhaust gas temperature generated by the operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system (20). 3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the size of the safety region (42, 44) is fixed. 4. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the size of the safety region (42, 44) is a variable according to at least one of operating parameters of the vehicle (10) or ambient conditions of the vehicle (10). 5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that the ambient conditions of the vehicle (10) comprise weather conditions or a geographical position of the vehicle (10). 6. The system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the predefined region (40) comprises a first region (42) exposed to exhaust gas coming out of the exhaust outlet (26). 7. The system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the predefined region (40) comprises a second region (44) exposed to the exhaust outlet (26). 8. The system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the sensor assembly (33) comprises at least one of inductive, capacitive, magnetic, photocell, laser, sonar, radar, lidar, Doppler effect, Infrared, optical sensor (34) to determine a distance to the detected object (46). 9. The system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the sensor assembly (33) comprises at least one sensor (35) to determine the weather condition and/or an ambient temperature. 10. The system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the sensor assembly (33) comprises at least one sensor (36) to determine the geographical position of the vehicle (10). 11. A vehicle (10) comprising a safety system (30) according to any preceding claim. 12. A method for operating a vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system (20) wherein exhaust gas is discharged via an exhaust outlet (26), wherein an engine (12) is coupled to the system (20), characterized by (a) monitoring a predefined region (40) surrounding the exhaust outlet (26) for detecting a presence of an object (46) in the region (40); (b) modifying operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system (20) in response to the object (46) being detected. 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the predefined region (40) is representing a safety region (42, 44) which size is defined according to an exhaust gas temperature generated by the operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system (20). 14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that a fixed size of the safety region (42, 44) or a variable size of the safety region (42, 44) according to at least one of operating parameters of the vehicle (10) or ambient conditions of the vehicle (10) is defined. 15. The method according to anyone of the claims 12 to 14, characterized in that modifying operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system (20) includes inhibiting or permitting a temporary process which increases an exhaust gas temperature. 16. The method according to anyone of the claims 12 to 15, characterized in that modifying operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system (20) includes inhibiting regeneration of at least one of a particle filter (22) or a catalytic component. 17. The method according to anyone of the claims 12 to 16, characterized by issuing an alarm if the temporary process has started and an object (46) is detected in the predefined region (40) during the temporary process. 18. A computer program comprising a computer program code adaptable to perform a method or for use in a method according to at least one of claims 12 to 17 when said program is run on a programmable microcomputer. 19. The computer program according to claim 18 adapted to be downloadable to a control unit or one of its components when run on a computer which is connected to the internet. 20. A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium, comprising a program code for use in a method according to anyone of claims 12 to 17 on a computer. 21. A safety system for a vehicle, the vehicle including an engine coupled to an exhaust gas aftertreatment system with an exhaust outlet, characterized in that the safety system includes a sensor assembly coupled to a data processing unit for monitoring a predefined region surrounding the exhaust outlet for detecting a presence of an object in the predefined region and for modifying operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system in response to the object being detected. 22. The system according to claim 21 , characterized in that the predefined region is representing a safety region which size is dependent on an exhaust gas temperature generated by the operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system. 23. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that the size of the safety region is fixed. 24. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that the size of the safety region is a variable according to at least one of operating parameters of the vehicle or ambient conditions of the vehicle. 25. The system according to claim 24, characterized in that the ambient conditions of the vehicle comprise weather conditions or a geographical position of the vehicle. 26. The system according to claim 21 , characterized in that the predefined region comprises a first region exposed to exhaust gas coming out of the exhaust outlet. 27. The system according to claim 21 , characterized in that the predefined region comprises a second region exposed to the exhaust outlet. 28. The system according to claim 21 , characterized in that the sensor assembly comprises at least one of inductive, capacitive, magnetic, photocell, laser, sonar, radar, lidar, Doppler effect, Infrared, optical sensor to determine a distance to the detected object. 29. The system according to claim 21 , characterized in that the sensor assembly comprises at least one sensor to determine the weather condition and/or an ambient temperature. 30. The system according to claim 21 , characterized in that the sensor assembly comprises at least one sensor to determine the geographical position of the vehicle. 31. A vehicle comprising a safety system according to claim 21. 32. A method for operating a vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system wherein exhaust gas is discharged via an exhaust outlet, wherein an engine is coupled to the system, characterized by (a) monitoring a predefined region surrounding the exhaust outlet for detecting a presence of an object in the region; (b) modifying operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system in response to the object being detected. 33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that the predefined region is representing a safety region which size is defined according to an exhaust gas temperature generated by the operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system. 34. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that a fixed size of the safety region or a variable size of the safety region according to at least one of operating parameters of the vehicle or ambient conditions of the vehicle is defined. 35. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that modifying operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system includes inhibiting or permitting a temporary process which increases an exhaust gas temperature. 36. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that modifying operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system includes inhibiting regeneration of at least one of a particle filter or a catalytic component. 37. The method according to claim 32, characterized by issuing an alarm if the temporary process has started and an object is detected in the predefined region during the temporary process. 38. A computer program comprising a computer program code adaptable to perform a method or for use in a method according to claim 32 when said program is run on a programmable microcomputer. 39. The computer program according to claim 38 adapted to be downloadable to a control unit or one of its components when run on a computer which is connected to the internet. 40. A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium, comprising a program code for use in a method according to claim 32 on a computer. |
Safety System for a Vehicle and Method for Operating a Vehicle Exhaust Gas
Aftertreatment System with a Safety System
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a safety system for a vehicle, a corresponding method for operating a vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system with a safety system, and a vehicle comprising such a safety system. In addition, the present invention relates to a data processing program and a computer program product for operating a vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that a particulate filter in a vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system has to be regenerated to fulfil exhaust gas emission regulations. The regeneration of the particulate filter has to be done regularly, e.g. every 20 minutes. During regeneration of the particulate filter the exhaust gas temperature at the exhaust outlet of the vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system may exceed 500° C. This can cause problems if any object is too close to the exhaust outlet.
JP 05125936 A discloses an exhaust port cover device to avoid discharging exhaust gas toward an object when there is any object detected in a prescribed gas exhaust range behind a rear bumper of a vehicle. The disclosed system comprises a proximity sensor generating a control signal when an object is noticed in the prescribed gas exhaust range. A flat shaped cover sheet is then moved in response to the control signal to deflect the exhaust gases in another direction. Although the exhaust gases are directed in another direction when an object is detected in the prescribed gas exhaust range there is still certain risk that thermal incidents can occur due to the detected object or obstruction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a safety system for a vehicle and a corresponding method for operating a vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system with a safety system which helps to maintain the safety standard of the vehicle by preventing thermal incidents when operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system is generating exhaust gases with high temperatures in the surrounding of an exhaust outlet of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system.
Another object is to provide a vehicle comprising such a safety system.
Still another object is to provide a data processing program and a computer program product for operating a vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system.
The objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. The other claims and the description disclose advantageous embodiments of the invention.
A safety system for a vehicle is proposed, wherein the vehicle is including an engine coupled to an exhaust gas aftertreatment system with an exhaust outlet. The safety system includes a sensor assembly coupled to a data processing unit for monitoring a predefined region surrounding the exhaust outlet for detecting a presence of an object in the region and for modifying operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system in response to the detected object. Favourably, the safety system reduces the risk of thermal incidents which may occur when during operation of the vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system exhaust gases with high temperature are generated at the surrounding of the exhaust outlet of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system. Such a temporary process which increases an exhaust gas temperature may be a regeneration process of a particulate filter or of a catalytic component which is part of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system. Favourably, complex solutions like cooling, diluting or spreading the hot exhaust gases can be avoided.
An output signal of the sensor assembly is used as input signal for the data processing unit using a map for determining when the temporary process which increases an exhaust gas temperature should occur. The data processing unit generates at least one control signal to control the exhaust gas aftertreatment system. If the temporary process which increases an exhaust gas temperature is about to start and the vehicle is too close to surrounding surfaces or objects the temporary process is not allowed to start. When the distance to the surrounding surfaces or objects is larger the temporary process which increases an exhaust gas temperature will be allowed to start. If the temporary process which increases an exhaust gas temperature has started and the sensor assembly detects an object within the specified distance from the exhaust outlet an alarm can be used to alert the driver that the vehicle, particularly a truck, must be moved. The safety system will detect when an object is in close proximity of the exhaust outlet and thereby prevent the temporary process which increases an exhaust gas
temperature if the distance from the exhaust outlet to surrounding objects is too small. In this way thermal incidents can be avoided. By way of example it is possible to prevent the temporary process which increases an exhaust gas temperature for vehicles ' with vertical exhaust outlet when driving inside a building or on board of a ferry or in a forest where leaves may hang in the predefined region surrounding the exhaust outlet, since the data processing unit controls the temporary process which increases an exhaust gas temperature so it does not start when anything is too close to the exhaust outlet.
The invention is particularly advantageous for vehicles with particulate filters and vertical exhaust outlet piping. Of course, the invention is also advantageous for use in vehicles with other exhaust outlet directions as well as for vehicles without a particulate filter. Advantageously, vehicles with a vertical or horizontal exhaust outlet may be offered on all markets that require particulate filter in order to meet the emission legislations. The invention favourably supports the driver when regeneration of the particulate filter should be done and reduces the risk of thermal incidents. According to a favourable embodiment of the invention, the predefined region can represent a safety region the size of which is dependent on an exhaust gas temperature generated by the operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system. The size of the safety region may be depending on a flow field and a gas i temperature of the exhaust gases generated at the exhaust outlet during operation - A - of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system, particularly during regeneration of a component in the exhaust gas aftertreatment system such as a particle filter. As a result an allowable minimum distance of a detected object to the exhaust outlet is depending on the temperature occurring in the surrounding of the exhaust outlet. Particularly, it is possible to set an upper temperature limit in the safety region which should not be exceeded by the operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system.
According to another favourable embodiment of the invention, the size of the safety region can be fixed. This offers a simple solution to prevent thermal incidents when the exhaust gas aftertreatment system is performing temporary processes which increase the exhaust gas temperature. For example, the size of the safety region may be defined according to the highest temperature which could occur in the surrounding of the exhaust outlet during operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system.
According to another favourable embodiment of the invention, the size of the safety region can be variable according to at least one of operating parameters of the vehicle and ambient conditions of the vehicle. As a result, embodiments of the safety system are able to adapt the size of the safety region to the actual ambient and/or operating conditions of the vehicle and to reduce the risk of thermal incidents. Expediently, the ambient conditions of the vehicle may comprise weather conditions, a geographical position of the vehicle indoors or outdoors, a location of the vehicle in a parking lot, and driving conditions, for example. This information can be used to modify and adapt the size of the safety region to prevent thermal incidents.
According to another favourable embodiment of the invention, the predefined region can comprise a first region exposed to exhaust gas coming out of the exhaust outlet. The size of the first region may be directly dependent on the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged by the exhaust outlet. Alternatively or additionally the predefined region can comprise a second region exposed to the exhaust outlet. The size of second region may be indirectly dependent on the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged by the exhaust outlet, since the exhaust outlet is heated by the exhaust gases and stays heated for a longer time interval even when the temperature of the exhaust gases is lowered due to the ending of the temporary process which increases the exhaust gas temperature. According to another favourable embodiment of the invention, the sensor assembly can comprise at least one sensor of an inductive, capacitive, magnetic, photocell, laser, sonar, radar, lidar, Doppler effect, infrared, optical sensor type for determining a distance between the exhaust outlet to the detected object . The vehicle may be equipped with one or more such sensors that detect surfaces and/or objects at close proximity and determine the distance to the detected surfaces. As an example, the sensors may be of a similar technology as used today in parking assistance devices for passenger cars. Any kind of sensor technologies can be used that can detect objects within a certain distance from the exhaust outlet.
According to another favourable embodiment of the invention, the sensor assembly can comprise at least one sensor to determine a weather condition experienced by the vehicle and/or an ambient temperature around the vehicle. These measures offer the possibility to detect weather conditions like rain or low ambient temperature where the size of the safety region may be reduced or increased in case of e.g. high ambient temperatures in an arid environment.
According to another favourable embodiment of the invention, the sensor assembly can comprise at least one sensor to determine the geographical position of the vehicle. The known geographical position of the vehicle allows preventing temporary processes which increase the exhaust gas temperature from occurring for vehicles with vertical exhaust outlet when driving inside a building or on board a ferry. The sensor may be part of a global positioning system (GPS). According to another aspect of the invention, a method for operating a vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system is proposed, wherein exhaust gas is
discharged via an exhaust outlet, and an engine is coupled to the system.
According to the invention a predefined region surrounding the exhaust outlet is monitored for detecting a presence of an object in the predefined region and operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system is modified in response to the object being detected. As a result, the risk of thermal incidents is reduced when during operation of the vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system exhaust gases with high temperature are generated at the surrounding of the exhaust outlet of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system.
According to favourable embodiment of the invention, the predefined region may be representing a safety region which size is defined according to an exhaust gas temperature generated by the operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system. A fixed size of the safety region or a variable size of the safety region according to at least one of operating parameters of the vehicle or ambient conditions of the vehicle is defined, for example.
According to another favourable embodiment of the invention, modifying operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system includes inhibiting or permitting a temporary process which increases an exhaust gas temperature. This reduces the risk of thermal incidents when during operation of the vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system at least one of a particle filter or a catalytic component should be regenerated.
According to another favourable embodiment of the invention, an alarm can be issued if the temporary process has started and an object is detected in the predefined region during the temporary process. The driver can decide whether a reaction is appropriate or the warning can be ignored, according to actual circumstances.
According to another aspect of the invention, a computer program is proposed comprising a computer program code adaptable to perform a method or for use in a method for operating a vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system when said program is run on a programmable microcomputer. Favourably, the computer program can be implemented into a control unit which comprises an exhaust gas aftertreatment system control. Expediently, the computer program may be run on an existing control unit or on a vehicle control unit adapted for running this computer program. According to favourable embodiment of the invention, the computer program is adapted to be downloadable to a control unit or one of its components when run on a computer which is connected to the internet. Favourably, program updates can easily be applied.
According to another favourable embodiment of the invention, a computer program product stored on a computer readable medium is proposed, comprising a program code for use in a method for operating a vehicle exhaust gas
aftertreatment system on a computer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention together with the above-mentioned and other objects and advantages may best be understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments, but not restricted to the embodiments, wherein is shown
schematically:
Fig. 1 a side view of a schematically sketched truck having a safety system according to the invention; and
Fig. 2 a flow chart of an example of a method for operating a vehicle
exhaust gas aftertreatment system, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
In the drawings, equal or similar elements are referred to by equal reference numerals. The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Moreover, the drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. Fig. 1 depicts schematically an example embodiment of a vehicle 10 comprising a safety system 30. The vehicle 10 includes an engine 12 coupled to an exhaust gas aftertreatment system 20 with a particulate filter 22, a vertically extended exhaust pipe 24 and an exhaust outlet 26. The safety system 30 includes a sensor assembly 33 coupled to a data processing unit 32 for monitoring a predefined region 40 surrounding the exhaust outlet 26 for detecting a presence of an object 46 in the predefined region 40 and for modifying operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system 20 in response to the object 46 being detected. The predefined region 40 is representing a safety region 42 and/or 44 the size of which is dependent on an exhaust gas temperature generated by the operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system 20. The size of the safety region may be depending on a flow field and a gas temperature of the exhaust gases generated at the exhaust outlet 26 during operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system 20.
In the embodiment shown the size of the safety region 42, 44 is variable according to at least one of operating parameters of the vehicle 10 or ambient conditions of the vehicle 10. The ambient conditions of the vehicle 10 may comprise weather conditions or a geographical position of the vehicle 10, for example. This information can be used to modify and adapt the size of the safety region 42, 44 to prevent thermal incidents. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the size of the safety region 42, 44 is fixed, wherein the fixed size of the safety region 42, 44 may be defined according to the highest temperature which could occur in the surrounding of the exhaust outlet 26 during operation of the exhaust gas
aftertreatment system.
In the shown embodiment the predefined region 40 comprises the first region 42 exposed to exhaust gas coming out of the exhaust outlet 26 and the second region 44 exposed to the exhaust outlet 26. The size of the first region 42 is directly dependent to the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged by the exhaust outlet 26 wherein the size of second region 44 is indirectly dependent to the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged by the exhaust outlet 26, since the exhaust outlet 26 is heated by the exhaust gases and may stay at a high temperature for a longer time interval even when the temperature of the exhaust gases has decreased again, for instance after a particle filter regeneration.
The sensor assembly 33 indicated in the drawing comprises a first sensor 34 to detect the object 46 and/or to determine a distance to the detected object 46. The sensor 34 may employ any kind of sensor technology that can detect objects within a certain distance from the exhaust outlet 26, like at least one of inductive, capacitive, magnetic, photocell, laser, sonar, radar, lidar, Doppler effect, infrared or optical sensor kind. The vehicle 10 may be equipped with one or more such sensors 34 that detect surfaces or objects at close proximity and determine the distance to the detected surfaces or objects. Also the sensor assembly 33 may comprise at least one sensor 35 to determine the weather condition and/or an ambient temperature. Additional the sensor assembly 33 may comprise at least one sensor 36 to determine the geographical position of the vehicle 10.
Due to periodical regeneration of the particulate filter 22, which in a truck may take place once or twice an hour, the exhaust gases may have a temperature of more than 500° C at the exhaust outlet 26. This can cause problems if any object 26 is too close. The safety system 30 according to the invention employs the sensor assembly 33 to detect close objects 26 and to prevent regeneration to start if any object 46 is too close. Output signals 37 of the sensor assembly 33 are used as input signals for the data processing unit 32. The data processing unit 32 uses a map to determine when regeneration of the particulate filter 22 should occur and generates at least one control signal 38 to control the exhaust gas aftertreatment system 20. If regeneration of the particle filter 22 is about to start and the vehicle 10 or the exhaust outlet 26, respectively, is too close to surrounding surfaces the data processing unit 32 prevents the regeneration process of the particulate filter 22 by generating a corresponding control signal 38. By way of example this can be done by inputting the input signal to a map that controls the particle filter regeneration.
When the distance from the exhaust outlet 26 to the detected object 46 is large enough the data processing unit 32 starts the regeneration of the particulate filter 22 by generation a corresponding control signal. If regeneration of the particulate filter 22 has already started and the sensor assembly 33 detects an object 46 within the specified region 40 surrounding the exhaust outlet 26, an alarm can be used to alert the driver that the vehicle 10 has to be moved. For instance, the driver can move the vehicle 10 away from the object 46.
The safety system 30 can be employed for trucks with a vertical exhaust outlet 26, but can be also applied to vehicles 10 with exhaust outlets in other directions, for instance with a horizontally oriented exhaust outlet. In this way the safety system 30 can avoid thermal incidents due to hot exhaust gases discharged from the exhaust gas aftertreatment system 20. The safety system 30 may for example prevent regeneration of the particulate filter 22 or a catalytic component from occurring for vehicles 10 with vertical exhaust outlet 26 when driving inside a building or on board of a ferry or in a forest. Referring to Fig. 2 the flowchart depicts a method according to the invention. After the start of the method for operating a vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system 20 a region 40 surrounding the exhaust outlet 26 of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system 20 is defined in step S10. The predefined region 40 is representing a safety region 42 and/or 44 the size of which may be defined according to an exhaust gas temperature generated by the operation of the exhaust gas
aftertreatment system 20. In the embodiment shown variable sizes of the safety regions 42, 44 are defined according to at least one of operating parameters of the vehicle 10 and/or ambient conditions of the vehicle 10. During step S20 the predefined region 40 surrounding the exhaust outlet 26 is monitored for detecting a presence of an object 46 in the region 40. If no object is detected the recall of step S30 ("no" in the flow chart) activates step S35 and normal operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system 20 is performed and the method then returns to step S10. If an object 46 is detected ("yes" in the flow chart) step S40 is activated to check whether a temporary process which increases an exhaust gas
temperature has already started. If a temporary process which increases an exhaust gas temperature is already started ("yes" in the flow chart) an alarm is issued in step S50 and the method then returns to step S10. If no temporary process which increases an exhaust gas temperature has already been started ("no" in the flow chart), step S45 is activated to modify operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system and the process returns to step S10. The modifying operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system 20 may include inhibiting or permitting a temporary process which increases an exhaust gas temperature, for example. The modifying operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system 20 includes inhibiting regeneration of at least one of a particle filter 22 and/or a catalytic component, for example.
The inventive method for operating an exhaust gas aftertreatment system 20 can be implemented as an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment containing both hardware and software elements. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is implemented in software, which includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.
Furthermore, the invention can take the form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. A computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
The medium can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium, such as a memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a RAM (random access memory), a ROM (read-only memory), a rigid magnetic disk, and an optical disk and the like.
Network adapters may also be coupled to the safety system 30 to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks for downloading a computer program representing the method according to the invention, for instance modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards and the like. Favourably, embodiments of the invention reduce the risk of thermal incidents when during operation of the vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment system exhaust gases with high temperature are generated at the surrounding of the exhaust outlet of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system.
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