Engine Control Device for Preventing Exhaust Pipe Freezing
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Summary
Problems
In vehicles with engines, condensed water inside the exhaust pipe can freeze when external temperatures are below freezing, leading to increased engine noise and reduced engine performance, especially in hybrid vehicles where engine operation is short and frequent, causing issues with ice accumulation and water discharge.
Innovation solutions
An engine control device that regulates the flow rate of exhaust gas by increasing the number of engine revolutions when external temperatures are below freezing and the previous engine operation duration is short, using a controller to manage the flow rate until a predetermined duration has elapsed, and includes features like intermittent control and exhaust heat recovery to prevent freezing and dirtying.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If the number of engine revolutions is increased to discharge condensed water and melt ice inside the exhaust pipe, then the draining and thawing effect is improved, but fuel efficiency deteriorates
Why choose this principle:
The controller performs preliminary warming of the exhaust pipe by increasing engine revolutions during cold start conditions (when coolant temperature is below freezing point). This preliminary action prevents ice formation before it occurs, eliminating the need for continuous high-revolution operation and improving fuel efficiency while maintaining reliability.
Principle concept:
If the number of engine revolutions is increased to discharge condensed water and melt ice inside the exhaust pipe, then the draining and thawing effect is improved, but fuel efficiency deteriorates
Why choose this principle:
The system applies periodic intermittent control where engine revolutions are increased at specific intervals during cold operation. The controller monitors exhaust temperature and temporarily increases revolutions to maintain exhaust temperature above freezing point, then reduces revolutions when temperature is sufficient. This periodic action achieves reliable ice prevention while minimizing fuel consumption compared to continuous high-revolution operation.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
An engine control device that regulates the flow rate of exhaust gas by increasing the number of engine revolutions when external temperatures are below freezing and the previous engine operation duration is short, using a controller to manage the flow rate until a predetermined duration has elapsed, and includes features like intermittent control and exhaust heat recovery to prevent freezing and dirtying.
Abstract
There is provided an engine control device including (1) a regulator that regulates a flow rate per unit of time of exhaust gas discharged from an engine, and (2) a controller that, in cases in which an external temperature detection section detects an external temperature below freezing point, and a previous engine operation duration is shorter than a predetermined first duration, controls the regulator such that the flow rate rises to exceed a predetermined normal state, until a predetermined second duration has elapsed since the engine was started up.