Method of initiating regeneration of a particulate filter for a direct-injection diesel engine with a common rail injection system

A method of initiating regeneration of a particulate filter (37) for a diesel engine (1) with a common rail injection system (6), said common rail injection system (6) permitting, at each engine cycle and in each cylinder (2) of the engine (1), a fuel injection strategy comprising performance of one or more of the following injections:

• a main injection (MAIN1);
• a first pre-injection (PILOT) preceding said main injection (MAIN1) and performed at the compression stroke;
• a second pre-injection (PRE) preceding said main injection (MAIN1) and following said first pre-injection;
• a first post-injection (MAIN2, AFTER) following said main injection (MAIN1);
• and a second post-injection (POST) following said first post-injection (MAIN2, AFTER) and performed at the exhaust stroke;
• said second pre-injection (PRE) and said first post-injection (MAIN2, AFTER) being performed close enough to said main injection (MAIN1) to participate, together with the main injection, in the actual fuel combustion phase;
• said method of initiating regeneration being characterized by the comprising the step of:
• implementing, at each engine cycle and in each cylinder (2) of the engine (1), a fuel injection strategy wherein one or more of said first and said second pre-injection (PILOT, PRE), said main injection (MAIN1), and said first and said second post-injection (MAIN2, AFTER, POST) are performed, and wherein the timing of one or more of the injections performed is varied with respect to the timing of said injections in particulate filter non-regenerating conditions.