A method, system, and vehicle for monitoring a urea cavity

Abstract

The application provides a urea cavity monitoring method, system and vehicle, and belongs to the technical field of vehicles. The urea cavity monitoring method comprises the following steps: in response to a control instruction for heating urea in a containing cavity, a heating device is controlled to heat the urea; at a first time point in the process of heating, a first urea liquid level of an area where the heating device is located is acquired, and a first urea amount actually contained in the containing cavity is determined based on a consumption amount of the vehicle to the urea; whether there is a cavity in the containing cavity is determined based on the first urea amount and the first urea liquid level; and in the case that there is a cavity in the containing cavity, a cavity risk warning is sent. The estimated value obtained based on the first urea liquid level is compared with the first urea amount, whether there is a difference between the two is judged, and then whether there is a cavity in the containing cavity is determined, so that effective detection of the urea cavity is realized.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of vehicles, in particular to a urea cavity monitoring method and system and vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] In order to reduce the content of nitrogen oxides in vehicle emissions, a urea system is installed on the vehicle to provide urea for the aftertreatment system to reduce nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen. Since the melting point of urea is relatively low, urea often condenses in winter, so that urea cannot be normally pumped out of the urea tank body.

[0003] In related technologies, a heating device is arranged in the urea tank body to melt the condensed urea in the tank body. However, in the case of extremely low temperature, the speed of the heating device melting urea cannot meet the urea demand of the vehicle. When the urea near the heating device is completely melted and consumed, the part filled with air between the heating device and the condensed urea is the urea cavity. The air in the urea cavity is a poor heat conduction medium, so the heat transfer efficiency between the heating device and the condensed urea will be greatly reduced in the presence of the urea cavity. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, the present application provides a urea cavity monitoring method and system and vehicle to solve the problem of how to monitor the urea cavity.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a urea cavity monitoring method, which is applied to a urea system, the urea system comprising a urea tank body, the urea tank body being provided with a containing cavity for containing urea, at least one heating device being arranged in the containing cavity, a difference between a size of the heating device in a height direction of a urea liquid level and a maximum urea liquid level height being less than a preset value, the method comprising:

[0006] in response to a control instruction of heating urea in the containing cavity, controlling the heating device to heat the urea;

[0007] at a first time point in the heating process, acquiring a first urea liquid level of a region where the heating device is located, and determining a first urea amount actually contained in the containing cavity based on a consumption amount of the vehicle to the urea;

[0008] based on the first urea amount and the first urea liquid level, determining whether a cavity exists in the containing cavity;

[0009] in the case that the cavity exists in the containing cavity, sending a cavity risk warning.

[0010] Optionally, before the step of, in response to the control instruction of heating urea in the containing cavity, controlling the heating device to heat the urea, the method further comprises:

[0011] acquiring a second urea liquid level in the accommodating cavity at a second moment when all urea in the accommodating cavity is liquid urea;

[0012] The first urea amount actually accommodated in the accommodating cavity is determined based on urea consumption of the vehicle.

[0013] The first urea amount is determined based on the second urea liquid level and urea consumption of the vehicle between the second moment and the first moment.

[0014] Optionally, the first urea amount is a volume amount of urea actually accommodated in the accommodating cavity, and whether a cavity exists in the accommodating cavity is determined based on the first urea amount and the first urea liquid level, comprising:

[0015] A second urea amount is determined based on the first urea liquid level and a bottom area of the accommodating cavity, the second urea amount being an estimated volume amount of urea in the accommodating cavity.

[0016] Whether a cavity exists in the accommodating cavity is determined based on a difference between the first urea amount and the second urea amount.

[0017] Optionally, in the case that a cavity exists in the accommodating cavity, a cavity risk warning is sent, comprising:

[0018] A cavity risk level in the accommodating cavity is determined based on the difference and a preset difference value.

[0019] A cavity risk warning corresponding to the cavity risk level is sent.

[0020] Different cavity risk warnings correspond to different warning strategies.

[0021] Optionally, the cavity risk level in the accommodating cavity is determined based on the difference and a preset difference value, comprising:

[0022] In the case that the difference is less than a first preset difference value, the cavity risk level is determined to be a low level.

[0023] In the case that the difference is greater than or equal to the first preset difference value and less than a second preset difference value, the cavity risk level is determined to be a medium level.

[0024] In the case that the difference is greater than or equal to the second preset difference value, the cavity risk level is determined to be a high level.

[0025] The first preset difference value is less than the second preset difference value.

[0026] Optionally, a plurality of the heating devices are provided in the accommodating chamber, and determining whether a cavity exists in the accommodating chamber based on the first urea amount and the first urea liquid level includes:

[0027] determining whether there is a cavity in an area where the heating device is located based on the first urea liquid level and the first urea amount corresponding to each heating device;

[0028] When a cavity exists in the area where any of the heating devices is located, it is determined that a cavity exists in the accommodating cavity. A second aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a monitoring system, comprising a urea system and a monitoring module, wherein the urea system comprises a urea tank, the urea tank being provided with an accommodating cavity for accommodating urea, at least one heating device being provided in the accommodating cavity, and the difference between the dimension of the heating device in the height direction of the urea liquid level and the maximum urea liquid level height being less than a preset value;

[0029] The monitoring module is used to execute the urea cavity monitoring method described in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Optionally, the heating device includes a heating tube, the length direction of the heating tube extends along the height direction of the accommodating cavity, and the difference between the length value of the heating tube and the maximum urea liquid level height value is less than the preset value;

[0031] Wherein, the tube wall of the heating tube is provided with at least one through hole, and the at least one through hole is located at one end of the heating tube close to the bottom of the urea tank.

[0032] Optionally, a liquid level sensor is provided inside the heating tube, and the liquid level sensor includes an ultrasonic sensor and / or a float-type liquid level sensor.

[0033] A third aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a vehicle comprising the monitoring system according to the second aspect of the embodiments of the present application, or comprising a controller, wherein the controller is used to implement the steps of the urea cavity monitoring method according to the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application.

[0034] The present application provides a urea cavity monitoring method, system, and vehicle. The method includes: in response to a control instruction to heat urea in the accommodating cavity, controlling the heating device to heat the urea; at a first moment in the heating process, obtaining a first urea liquid level in an area where the heating device is located, and determining a first amount of urea actually contained in the accommodating cavity based on urea consumption by the vehicle; determining whether a cavity exists in the accommodating cavity based on the first urea amount and the first urea liquid level; and sending a cavity risk warning if a cavity exists in the accommodating cavity.

[0035] The present application provides a heating device within a urea tank, wherein the difference between the dimension in the urea liquid level height direction and the maximum urea liquid level height is less than a preset difference. During the heating process of the urea by the heating device, the urea liquid level of the heated and melted liquid urea in the heating area and the first urea quantity actually contained in the urea tank housing are obtained, and the urea cavity is then monitored based on the first urea liquid level and the first urea quantity. Based on the first urea liquid level of the liquid urea in the area where the heating device is located, the present application can calculate an estimated value of the urea in the housing chamber. Simultaneously, based on the first urea quantity, the actual value of the urea in the housing chamber can be obtained. The estimated value obtained based on the first urea liquid level is compared with the first urea quantity to determine whether there is a difference between the two, thereby determining whether a cavity exists in the housing chamber, thereby achieving effective detection of urea cavities. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a urea cavity provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 2 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a urea system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 3 This is a step diagram of a urea cavity monitoring method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 4 This is a step diagram of another urea cavity monitoring method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 5 This is a urea distribution diagram in the accommodating chamber at the second moment provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 6 This is a step diagram of a method for determining a urea cavity provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 7 This is a step diagram of a method for sending a cavity risk warning provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 8 This is a step diagram of a method for monitoring urea cavities of multiple heating devices provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 9This is a flow chart of a urea cavity monitoring method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 10 This is a flow chart of a method for monitoring urea cavities of multiple heating devices provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a monitoring system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 12 This is a structural diagram of a heating pipe connected to a urea pump provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 13 This is a structural diagram of a urea system of a float-type liquid level sensor provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0051] To reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) in vehicle emissions, vehicles are equipped with urea systems to supply urea to the aftertreatment system, reducing NOx to harmless nitrogen. Due to urea's low melting point, urea often condenses in winter, preventing it from being pumped out of the urea tank.

[0052] In the related art, a heating device is provided in the urea tank to melt the urea condensed in the tank. However, under extremely low temperature conditions, the speed at which the heating device melts the urea cannot meet the urea demand of the vehicle. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a urea cavity is shown. After all the urea near the heating device is melted and consumed, the area between the heating device and the condensed urea is filled with air, forming the urea cavity. Air within the urea cavity is a poor heat conductor, significantly reducing the heat transfer efficiency between the heating device and the condensed urea.

[0053] Based on this, in order to solve the problem of how to monitor urea cavities, the present application proposes a method, system and vehicle for monitoring urea cavities, wherein a heating device is provided in the urea tank, wherein the difference between the size in the urea liquid level height direction and the maximum urea liquid level height is less than a preset size difference. In the process of the heating device heating the urea, the urea liquid level of the liquid urea heated and melted in the heating area and the first urea amount actually contained in the urea tank accommodating cavity are obtained, and then the urea cavity is monitored based on the first urea liquid level and the first urea amount. Based on the first urea liquid level of the liquid urea in the area where the heating device is located, the present application can calculate an estimated value of the urea in the accommodating cavity. At the same time, based on the first urea amount, the actual value of the urea in the accommodating cavity can be obtained, and the estimated value obtained based on the first urea liquid level is compared with the first urea amount to determine whether there is a difference between the two, and then determine whether there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity, thereby achieving effective detection of the urea cavity. Specifically including:

[0054] The first aspect of this application proposes an embodiment, referring to Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a urea system is shown, and Figure 3 A diagram showing the steps of a method for monitoring a urea cavity is shown. The monitoring method described in this application is applied to a urea system, and more specifically, to a controller within the urea system. The urea system includes a urea tank having a urea chamber for accommodating urea. At least one heating device is disposed within the chamber, and the difference between the height of the urea liquid level and the maximum urea liquid level is less than a preset value. The main steps of the urea cavity monitoring method include:

[0055] Step S101 : In response to a control instruction to heat the urea in the accommodating chamber, controlling the heating device to heat the urea.

[0056] The vehicle's urea system includes a urea tank for storing urea and at least one heating device within a chamber within the urea tank. When the urea temperature measured by a temperature sensor on the vehicle or the ambient temperature surrounding the urea tank is lower than a preset temperature or lower than the melting point of urea, a controller responds to a control instruction to heat the urea in the chamber and controls the heating device to heat the urea.

[0057] Step S102 : at a first moment in the heating process, obtaining a first urea liquid level in the area where the heating device is located, and determining a first amount of urea actually contained in the containing chamber based on the urea consumption of the vehicle.

[0058] The preset value for the difference between the dimension of the heating device in the height direction of the urea liquid level and the maximum urea liquid level can be determined based on the maximum heating power of the heating device. The preset value should ensure that, when the heating device is powered on at maximum heating power, its effective heating range covers all condensed urea heights. In an alternative embodiment, the preset value can be zero, meaning that the dimension of the heating device in the height direction of the urea liquid level is equal to the maximum urea liquid level. In other words, the height of the heating device is equal to the height of the accommodating chamber.

[0059] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 The diagram shows the distribution of solid and liquid urea within the accommodating chamber during the heating process of the urea system while the heating device is continuously spraying urea. The difference between the height of the heating device and the maximum urea level is less than a preset value. As the heating device heats the condensed urea within the accommodating chamber, a through cavity containing liquid urea is formed within the condensed solid urea, centered around the heating device. As the urea in the through cavity is consumed, the urea level in the area where the heating device is located gradually decreases. The portion of the through cavity that becomes air-filled due to the consumption of liquid urea represents the empty space within the accommodating chamber.

[0060] At the first moment during the heating process of the urea by the heating device, a first urea liquid level of the liquid urea in the region where the heating device is located is obtained, i.e., the urea liquid level of the liquid urea in the aforementioned through-cavity is obtained. The first moment can be any moment during the heating process of the urea by the heating device. In an optional embodiment, the first urea liquid level can be obtained using a liquid level sensor disposed in the region where the heating device is located. When obtaining the first urea liquid level using the liquid level sensor, the detection range of the liquid level sensor should be limited to the range of the through-cavity to prevent the liquid level sensor from mistakenly detecting the height of solidified urea surrounding the liquid urea as the first urea liquid level.

[0061] Urea consumption can be determined using the urea injection volume measured by a urea flowmeter. The urea injection volume from the urea nozzle represents the urea consumption within the accommodating chamber. The actual first urea volume currently contained within the accommodating chamber is calculated by subtracting the urea consumption volume from the initial urea volume within the accommodating chamber (the initial urea volume is obtained prior to the first moment).

[0062] Step S103: determining whether there is a cavity in the accommodating chamber based on the first urea amount and the first urea liquid level.

[0063] The first urea amount represents the actual amount of urea contained in the accommodating chamber at the first moment, which includes solidified solid urea and liquid urea. The first urea liquid level represents the height of the liquid urea in the accommodating chamber at the first moment.

[0064] In an alternative embodiment, the average height of the solid urea and the liquid urea in the accommodating chamber can be calculated using the first urea amount and the bottom area of ​​the accommodating chamber. Subsequently, the presence of a cavity in the accommodating chamber can be determined based on the difference between the average height and the first urea level of the liquid urea.

[0065] If the average height is equal to the first urea liquid level, it indicates that the heights of the liquid urea and the solid urea are equal, and there is no cavity in the accommodating chamber. If the average height is higher than the first urea liquid level, it indicates that the height of the liquid urea is lower than that of the solid urea, and there is a cavity in the accommodating chamber.

[0066] Step S104: When there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity, a cavity risk warning is sent.

[0067] When there is a cavity in the urea tank, the urea system controller can send a corresponding alarm instruction to the vehicle central controller, which then controls the vehicle's central control screen or speaker to issue a corresponding cavity risk warning to remind the driver that there is a urea cavity in the urea tank and to take corresponding measures in a timely manner.

[0068] The present application provides a heating device within a urea tank, wherein the difference between the dimension in the urea liquid level height direction and the maximum urea liquid level height is less than a preset difference. During the heating process of the heating device heating the urea, the first urea liquid level in the heated and melted area and the first urea quantity actually contained in the urea tank housing are obtained, and the urea cavity is then monitored based on the first urea liquid level and the first urea quantity. Based on the first urea liquid level in the area where the heating device is located, the present application can calculate an estimated value of the urea in the housing chamber. Simultaneously, based on the first urea quantity, the actual value of the urea in the housing chamber can be obtained. The estimated value obtained based on the first urea liquid level is compared with the first urea quantity to determine whether there is a difference between the two, thereby determining whether a cavity exists in the housing chamber, thereby achieving effective detection of urea cavities.

[0069] The second aspect of the present application provides an embodiment, which, in addition to the embodiment provided in the first aspect of the present application, further includes:

[0070] Alternatively, as Figure 4 Another method for monitoring urea cavities is shown in the following steps: Figure 5 As shown in a urea distribution diagram in the accommodating chamber at a second moment, the method includes:

[0071] Step S201 : At a second moment when the urea contained in the accommodating chamber is all in liquid state, obtaining a second urea liquid level in the accommodating chamber.

[0072] The second time is a time when all the urea accommodated in the accommodation cavity is liquid urea, and the second time is before the first time. Whether the urea in the accommodation cavity is all liquid urea can be determined by an ultrasonic generator and an ultrasonic receiver arranged in the accommodation cavity. The ultrasonic generator is installed on one side of the accommodation cavity, and the ultrasonic receiver is installed on the side opposite to the ultrasonic generator. Because the ultrasonic wave propagates at different speeds in liquid medium and solid medium, when the urea is all liquid, the time interval at which the ultrasonic generator receives the ultrasonic wave is longer than the time interval when the urea is solid. Therefore, whether the urea in the accommodation cavity is all liquid urea can be determined according to the time interval between the time at which the ultrasonic generator emits the ultrasonic wave and the time at which the ultrasonic receiver receives the ultrasonic wave.

[0073] Alternatively, whether the urea in the accommodation cavity is all liquid urea can also be determined by the temperature of the urea or the ambient temperature around the urea tank. For example, when the temperature of the urea or the ambient temperature around the urea tank is higher than the melting point of the urea, it is determined that the urea in the accommodation cavity is all liquid urea. When either the temperature of the urea or the ambient temperature around the urea tank is lower than or equal to the melting point of the urea, it is determined that there is solid urea in the accommodation cavity.

[0074] In step S202, the heating device is controlled to heat the urea in response to a control instruction for heating the urea in the accommodation cavity.

[0075] The specific implementation of step S202 is the same as that of step S101, and reference can be made to the description of step S101.

[0076] In step S203, a first urea liquid level of the region where the heating device is located is obtained at a first time during the heating process, and the first urea amount is determined based on the second urea liquid level and the urea consumption amount of the vehicle between the second time and the first time.

[0077] Reference Figure 5 When the urea in the accommodation cavity is all liquid urea, the liquid level of the urea in the accommodation cavity is uniform. In the foregoing case, the urea amount in the accommodation cavity at the second time can be determined by the second urea liquid level in the accommodation cavity and the bottom area of the accommodation cavity.

[0078] If the second time is taken as the initial time and the urea amount in the accommodation cavity at the second time is taken as the initial urea amount, the first urea amount actually accommodated in the accommodation cavity at the first time can be obtained by subtracting the urea consumption amount between the second time and the first time.

[0079] In addition, the specific implementation of obtaining the first urea liquid level of the region where the heating device is located can refer to the description of step S102.

[0080] Step S204, determining whether there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity based on the first urea amount and the first urea level.

[0081] The specific implementation of step S204 is the same as that of step S103, and the description of step S103 can be referred to.

[0082] Step S205, in the case that there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity, sending a cavity risk warning.

[0083] The specific implementation of step S205 is the same as that of step S104, and the description of step S104 can be referred to.

[0084] Optionally, the first urea amount is the actual volume of urea accommodated in the accommodating cavity, and the first urea level is the height of the liquid urea above the heating device. Figure 6 The method for determining the urea cavity is shown in the step diagram, and step S103 in the method for determining the urea cavity includes:

[0085] Step S1031, determining a second urea amount based on the first urea level and the bottom area of the accommodating cavity, the second urea amount being an estimated volume of urea in the accommodating cavity.

[0086] The product of the first urea level and the bottom area of the accommodating cavity is the volume of urea estimated based on the first liquid level height of the liquid urea in the region of the heating device.

[0087] Step S1032, determining whether there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity based on the difference between the first urea amount and the second urea amount.

[0088] The difference between the first urea amount and the second urea amount is the difference between the estimated volume of urea and the actual volume of urea accommodated at the first time. Since there is a difference between the estimated volume of urea and the actual volume of urea, which is caused by the cavity above the liquid urea, the first urea level cannot represent the average urea height of the solid urea and the liquid urea in the accommodating cavity, so the greater the difference between the first urea amount and the second urea amount, the greater the difference between the first urea level and the average urea height, and the greater the difference between the estimated volume of urea and the actual volume of urea accommodated, and finally the greater the volume of the cavity.

[0089] In summary, when the difference between the first urea amount and the second urea amount is equal to zero, it indicates that there is no difference between the estimated volume of urea and the actual volume of urea accommodated, and there is no cavity in the accommodating cavity; when the difference between the first urea amount and the second urea amount is greater than zero, it indicates that there is a difference between the estimated volume of urea and the actual volume of urea accommodated, and there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity.

[0090] Furthermore, if the difference between the first and second urea amounts calculated based on the acquired first urea liquid level is less than zero, meaning the estimated urea volume is greater than the actual urea volume, a urea system fault alarm should be output. Because the liquid urea in the through-hole cavity is melted from the solid urea in the cavity, the first urea liquid level of the liquid urea in the cavity cannot be higher than the height of the solid urea in the cavity, ignoring the density difference between solid and liquid urea. Consequently, it is impossible for the first urea amount to be less than the second urea amount. Therefore, if the difference between the first and second urea amounts calculated based on the acquired first urea liquid level is less than zero, it indicates that the first urea liquid level acquired by the liquid level sensor is incorrect, and a urea system fault alarm should be output.

[0091] Optionally, refer to Figure 7 As shown in the figure, a method for sending a cavity risk warning includes sending a cavity risk warning when a cavity exists in the accommodating cavity in step S104, including:

[0092] Step S1041 : determining the cavity risk level in the accommodating cavity based on the difference and a preset difference.

[0093] The first urea amount is the actual volume of urea contained in the accommodating chamber, while the second urea amount is an estimated volume of urea contained in the accommodating chamber based on the first urea liquid level. Therefore, when there is a difference between the estimated urea volume and the actual urea volume, it indicates the presence of a cavity within the accommodating chamber. Furthermore, if a cavity exists within the accommodating chamber, the size of the cavity can be determined based on the difference between the first and second urea amounts, thereby determining the cavity risk level within the accommodating chamber.

[0094] Step S1042: Send a cavity risk warning corresponding to the cavity risk level.

[0095] After determining the cavity risk level, different cavity risk alerts can be issued based on the different cavity risk levels. In one optional embodiment, the cavity risk alert can be issued in the form of a beep. The frequency of the beep increases with the cavity risk level, with the higher the cavity risk level, the higher the beep frequency. Alternatively, the volume of the beep increases with the cavity risk level, with the higher the cavity risk level, the higher the volume.

[0096] In an optional embodiment, the cavity risk warning can also correspond to different warning components. The higher the cavity risk level, the more warning components will output warnings. For example, when the cavity risk level is low, the warning light can be used for warnings; when the cavity risk level is high, the warning light and the central control screen can be used for warnings.

[0097] Optionally, in step S1041, the cavity risk level in the accommodating cavity is determined based on the difference and the preset difference, and the cavity risk level may be divided based on the following method:

[0098] In a first approach, when the difference is less than a first preset difference, the cavity risk level is determined to be a low level.

[0099] The first preset difference can be determined based on the first urea amount. In an alternative embodiment, the first preset difference is set to one-sixth of the first urea amount. For example, if the first urea amount is 30 liters, the first preset difference is set to 5 liters. If the difference between the first and second urea amounts is less than 5 liters, it indicates that the cavity volume within the accommodating chamber is small, and the cavity risk level is determined to be low.

[0100] Method 2: When the difference is greater than or equal to the first preset difference and less than the second preset difference, the cavity risk level is determined to be a medium level.

[0101] The second preset difference can also be determined based on the first urea amount. In an optional embodiment, the first preset difference is set to half the first urea amount. Again, using the first urea amount of 30 liters as an example, the second preset difference is 15 liters, and the first preset difference is 5 liters. When the difference between the first and second urea amounts is greater than or equal to 5 liters and less than 15 liters, it indicates that the cavity volume within the accommodating chamber is large, and the cavity risk level is determined to be medium.

[0102] Mode three: when the difference is greater than or equal to the second preset difference, determining the cavity risk level as a high level, wherein the first preset difference is smaller than the second preset difference.

[0103] Similar to Methods 1 and 2 above, taking the first urea amount as 30 liters, the second preset difference is 15 liters, and the first preset difference is 5 liters. When the difference between the first and second urea amounts is greater than or equal to 15 liters, it indicates that the cavity volume within the accommodating chamber is extremely large, and the cavity risk level is determined to be high.

[0104] Optionally, a plurality of heating devices are provided in the accommodating cavity, referring to Figure 8 The step diagram of a method for monitoring urea cavities of multiple heating devices is shown, wherein step S103 determines whether there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity based on the first urea amount and the first urea liquid level, including:

[0105] Step S1033: determining whether there is a cavity in the area where the heating device is located based on the first urea liquid level and the first urea amount corresponding to each heating device.

[0106] To improve the melting efficiency of the solid urea, multiple heating devices can be installed in the accommodating cavity. When multiple heating devices are arranged in the accommodating cavity, one liquid level sensor is installed in each region where the multiple heating devices are located, so as to obtain the first urea liquid level in each region where the multiple heating devices are located through the respective liquid level sensors, and then monitor the cavities in each region where the multiple heating devices are located.

[0107] In an alternative embodiment, whether there is a cavity in the region where each heating device is located can be determined by the following method. The first urea liquid level of each of the multiple heating devices is multiplied by the bottom area of the accommodating cavity to obtain the urea volume in the accommodating cavity estimated based on the first urea liquid level corresponding to each heating device, i.e., the second urea amount corresponding to each of the multiple heating devices. Based on the second urea amount and the first urea amount corresponding to each heating device, respectively, it is determined whether there is a cavity in the region where the heating device is located.

[0108] In step S1034, when there is a cavity in any of the regions where the heating devices are located, it is determined that there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity.

[0109] In the embodiment described in the description of step S1033, the first urea amount is subtracted from the second urea amount corresponding to each heating device to obtain the difference between the first urea amount and the second urea amount corresponding to each of the multiple heating devices. If the difference corresponding to any of the multiple heating devices is greater than a preset difference value, it indicates that there is a cavity in the region where the heating device is located, i.e., it is determined that there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity. The preset difference value can be zero or a value slightly greater than zero.

[0110] The third aspect of the present application proposes an embodiment, which includes a method for detecting a urea cavity of a urea system. The urea cavity includes a urea tank body provided with an accommodating cavity for accommodating urea, and at least one heating device is arranged in the accommodating cavity. The difference between the size of the heating device in the height direction of the urea liquid level and the maximum urea liquid level height is less than a preset value. For example, Figure 9 A flowchart of a urea cavity monitoring method is shown, which includes:

[0111] At the second moment when the urea contained in the accommodating cavity is all liquid urea, the second urea liquid level contained in the accommodating cavity is obtained. In response to a control instruction for heating the urea in the accommodating cavity, the heating device is controlled to heat the urea. At the first moment in the process of heating, the first urea liquid level in the region where the heating device is located is obtained, and based on the second urea liquid level and the urea consumption amount of the vehicle between the second moment and the first moment, the first urea amount is determined.

[0112] A second urea amount is determined based on the first urea liquid level and the bottom area of ​​the accommodating chamber, wherein the second urea amount is an estimated urea volume in the accommodating chamber. A determination is made as to whether a cavity exists in the accommodating chamber based on a difference between the first urea amount and the second urea amount.

[0113] If it is determined that there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity based on the difference between the first urea amount and the second urea amount, then if the difference is less than a first preset difference, the cavity risk level is determined to be a low level; if the difference is greater than or equal to the first preset difference and less than the second preset difference, the cavity risk level is determined to be a medium level; if the difference is greater than or equal to the second preset difference, the cavity risk level is determined to be a high level; wherein the first preset difference is less than the second preset difference.

[0114] Send a cavity risk alert corresponding to the cavity risk level; different cavity risk alerts correspond to different alert strategies.

[0115] The fourth aspect of the present application provides an embodiment, which includes a urea cavity monitoring method when applied to a urea system including multiple heating devices, referring to Figure 10 A flow chart of a method for monitoring urea cavities of multiple heating devices is shown, the method comprising:

[0116] At a second moment when the urea contained in the accommodating chamber is all liquid urea, a second urea liquid level in the accommodating chamber is obtained; in response to a control instruction to heat the urea in the accommodating chamber, the plurality of heating devices are controlled to heat the urea; at a first moment during the heating process, first urea liquid levels in areas where the plurality of heating devices are located are respectively obtained, and a first urea amount is determined based on the second urea liquid levels and urea consumption of the vehicle between the second moment and the first moment.

[0117] Based on the first urea liquid level and the first urea amount corresponding to each heating device, it is determined whether there is a cavity in the area where the heating device is located. If a cavity exists in the area where any heating device is located, it is determined that a cavity exists in the accommodating cavity. If a cavity exists in the accommodating cavity, a cavity risk alert is issued.

[0118] The fifth aspect of this application proposes an embodiment, referring to Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the structure of a monitoring system is shown, wherein the monitoring system includes a urea system and a monitoring module. Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a urea system is shown, the urea system including a urea tank having a urea receiving chamber. At least one heating device is disposed within the urea receiving chamber, and the difference between the height of the heating device in the urea liquid level direction and the maximum urea liquid level is less than a preset value.

[0119] The monitoring module is used to execute the urea cavity monitoring method described in this application.

[0120] Optionally, the heating device includes a heating tube, the length direction of the heating tube extends along the height direction of the accommodating cavity, and the difference between the length value of the heating tube and the maximum urea liquid level height value is less than a preset value;

[0121] The tube wall of the heating tube is provided with at least one through hole extending along the length direction, and at least the through hole is located at one end of the heating tube close to the bottom of the urea tank.

[0122] The heating device in the urea system includes heating pipes. Figure 12 A structural schematic diagram of a heating pipe connected to a urea pump is shown. In an optional embodiment, the heating pipe can be connected to the urea pump via threaded connectors such as bolts and screws, and installed at the urea pump suction port of the urea system to heat the urea at the urea pump suction port, thereby maximally meeting the urea injection requirements of the urea system.

[0123] The length of the heating tube extends along the height of the accommodating chamber, and the difference between the length of the heating tube and the maximum urea liquid level is less than a predetermined value. In an alternative embodiment, the length of the heating tube can be equal to the maximum urea liquid level of the accommodating chamber, such that the heating tube extends through the height of the accommodating chamber.

[0124] When a urea system heats urea via a heating tube, at least one through-hole may be provided in the wall of the heating tube to improve urea heating efficiency and maximize the volume utilization of the urea chamber. The at least one through-hole should be located at the end of the heating tube near the bottom of the urea tank, allowing urea to flow through the through-hole into and out of the heating tube. If the heating tube is provided with multiple through-holes, at least one through-hole should have its lowest position located at the end of the heating tube near the bottom of the urea tank.

[0125] Optionally, a liquid level sensor is provided inside the heating tube, and the liquid level sensor includes an ultrasonic liquid level wave sensor and / or a float type liquid level sensor.

[0126] When the urea system heats urea via a heating tube, a liquid level sensor can be installed inside the heating tube, thereby limiting the liquid level sensor's measurement range to within the heating tube. Since the interior of the heating tube is filled with urea when the heating tube heats urea, limiting the liquid level sensor's measurement range to within the heating tube limits the sensor's measurement range to liquid urea, preventing the liquid level sensor from mistaking the first urea level for the height of solid urea.

[0127] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2The figure shows a urea system structure in which the liquid level sensor is an ultrasonic liquid level sensor. The ultrasonic liquid level sensor is installed at the bottom of the heating pipe. Figure 13 The structure of a urea system using a float-type liquid level sensor is shown. The float-type liquid level sensor includes a float rod and a float sleeved on the float rod. The float rod is fixed to the inner bottom of the heating tube and extends along the length of the heating tube.

[0128] Optionally, the monitoring module includes:

[0129] a heating control unit, configured to control the heating device to heat the urea in response to a control instruction for heating the urea in the accommodating chamber;

[0130] a first acquiring unit, configured to acquire a first urea liquid level in an area where the heating device is located at a first moment during the heating process, and determine a first amount of urea actually contained in the containing chamber based on urea consumption by the vehicle;

[0131] a monitoring unit, configured to determine whether a cavity exists in the accommodating chamber based on the first urea amount and the first urea liquid level;

[0132] The alarm unit is used to send a cavity risk alarm when there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity.

[0133] Optionally, the monitoring module further includes:

[0134] a second acquiring unit, configured to acquire a second urea liquid level in the accommodating cavity at a second moment when all urea contained in the accommodating cavity is liquid urea;

[0135] The first acquiring unit is further configured to determine the first urea amount based on the second urea liquid level and the urea consumption of the vehicle between the second moment and the first moment.

[0136] Optionally, the first urea amount is the volume of urea actually contained in the accommodating chamber, and the monitoring unit is further configured to determine a second urea amount based on the first urea liquid level and the bottom area of ​​the accommodating chamber, where the second urea amount is an estimated volume of urea in the accommodating chamber; and determine whether there is a cavity in the accommodating chamber based on a difference between the first urea amount and the second urea amount.

[0137] Optionally, the alarm unit is further used to determine a cavity risk level in the accommodating cavity based on the difference and a preset difference; and send a cavity risk alarm corresponding to the cavity risk level; wherein different cavity risk alarms correspond to different alarm strategies.

[0138] Optionally, the alarm unit is also used to determine that the cavity risk level is a low level when the difference is less than a first preset difference; to determine that the cavity risk level is a medium level when the difference is greater than or equal to the first preset difference and less than a second preset difference; and to determine that the cavity risk level is a high level when the difference is greater than or equal to the second preset difference; wherein the first preset difference is less than the second preset difference.

[0139] Optionally, a plurality of the heating devices are provided in the accommodating cavity, and the first acquiring unit is further configured to determine, based on the first urea liquid level and the first urea amount corresponding to each heating device, whether there is a cavity in the area where the heating device is located; and when there is a cavity in the area where any of the heating devices is located, determine that there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity.

[0140] An embodiment of the present application further provides a vehicle, comprising a monitoring system provided in the present application, or comprising a controller, wherein the controller is used to implement the steps of the urea cavity monitoring method described in the embodiment of the present application.

[0141] The present application provides a heating device within a urea tank, wherein the difference between the dimension in the urea liquid level height direction and the maximum urea liquid level height is less than a preset difference. During the heating process of the urea by the heating device, the urea liquid level of the heated and melted liquid urea in the heating area and the first urea quantity actually contained in the urea tank housing are obtained, and the urea cavity is then monitored based on the first urea liquid level and the first urea quantity. Based on the first urea liquid level of the liquid urea in the area where the heating device is located, the present application can calculate an estimated value of the urea in the housing chamber. Simultaneously, based on the first urea quantity, the actual value of the urea in the housing chamber can be obtained. The estimated value obtained based on the first urea liquid level is compared with the first urea quantity to determine whether there is a difference between the two, thereby determining whether a cavity exists in the housing chamber, thereby achieving effective detection of urea cavities.

[0142] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other.

[0143] The embodiments of the present application are described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, systems, electronic devices, and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing terminal device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing terminal device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0144] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing terminal device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce a manufactured product including an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0145] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing terminal device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable terminal device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for executing on the computer or other programmable terminal device to implement the process. Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A step that specifies a function in one or more boxes.

[0146] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art may make additional changes and modifications to these embodiments once they become aware of the basic inventive concepts. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0147] Finally, it should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or terminal device that includes a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or terminal device. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or terminal device that includes the element.

[0148] The above is a detailed introduction to the urea cavity monitoring method, system and vehicle provided by the present application. Specific examples are used herein to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and core idea of ​​the present application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the ideas of the present application, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring urea cavities, characterized in that: The method is applied to a urea system, the urea system including a urea tank, the urea tank being provided with a accommodating chamber for accommodating urea, at least one heating device being provided in the accommodating chamber, the difference between the dimension of the heating device in the height direction of the urea liquid level and the maximum urea liquid level being less than a preset value, the method comprising: In response to a control instruction to heat the urea in the accommodating chamber, controlling the heating device to heat the urea; At a first moment in the heating process, obtaining a first urea liquid level in an area where the heating device is located, and determining a first amount of urea actually contained in the accommodating chamber based on urea consumption by the vehicle; determining whether there is a cavity in the accommodating chamber based on the first urea amount and the first urea liquid level; When a cavity exists in the accommodating cavity, a cavity risk warning is sent.

2. The method for monitoring urea cavities according to claim 1, characterized in that: Before controlling the heating device to heat the urea in response to the control instruction to heat the urea in the accommodating chamber, the method further includes: At a second moment when the urea contained in the accommodating cavity is all liquid urea, obtaining a second urea liquid level in the accommodating cavity; The determining, based on the urea consumption of the vehicle, the first amount of urea actually contained in the accommodating chamber includes: The first urea amount is determined based on the second urea liquid level and the urea consumption of the vehicle between the second time instant and the first time instant.

3. The method for monitoring urea cavities according to claim 1, wherein: The first urea amount is a volume of urea actually contained in the accommodating chamber, and determining whether a cavity exists in the accommodating chamber based on the first urea amount and the first urea liquid level includes: determining a second urea amount based on the first urea liquid level and the bottom area of ​​the accommodating cavity, where the second urea amount is an estimated volume of urea in the accommodating cavity; Based on the difference between the first urea amount and the second urea amount, it is determined whether there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity.

4. The method for monitoring urea cavities according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sending of a cavity risk warning when a cavity exists in the accommodating cavity includes: determining a cavity risk level in the accommodating cavity based on the difference and a preset difference; sending a cavity risk alert corresponding to the cavity risk level; Among them, different cavity risk warnings correspond to different warning strategies.

5. The method for monitoring urea cavities according to claim 4, characterized in that: The determining the cavity risk level in the accommodating cavity based on the difference and a preset difference includes: When the difference is less than a first preset difference, determining that the cavity risk level is a low level; When the difference is greater than or equal to the first preset difference and less than the second preset difference, determining that the cavity risk level is a medium level; When the difference is greater than or equal to the second preset difference, determining that the cavity risk level is a high level; The first preset difference is smaller than the second preset difference.

6. The method for monitoring a urea cavity according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: A plurality of the heating devices are provided in the accommodating chamber, and determining whether there is a cavity in the accommodating chamber based on the first urea amount and the first urea liquid level includes: determining whether there is a cavity in an area where the heating device is located based on the first urea liquid level and the first urea amount corresponding to each heating device; When there is a cavity in the area where any of the heating devices is located, it is determined that there is a cavity in the accommodating cavity.

7. A monitoring system, characterized in that: The system comprises a urea system and a monitoring module. The urea system comprises a urea tank, the urea tank is provided with a urea receiving chamber, and at least one heating device is provided in the urea receiving chamber. The difference between the height of the urea liquid level of the heating device and the maximum urea liquid level is less than a preset value. The monitoring module is used to execute the urea cavity monitoring method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The monitoring system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The heating device includes a heating tube, the length direction of the heating tube extends along the height direction of the accommodating cavity, and the difference between the length value of the heating tube and the maximum urea liquid level value is less than the preset value; Wherein, the tube wall of the heating tube is provided with at least one through hole, and the at least one through hole is located at one end of the heating tube close to the bottom of the urea tank.

9. The monitoring system according to claim 8, characterized in that A liquid level sensor is provided inside the heating tube, and the liquid level sensor includes an ultrasonic sensor and / or a float type liquid level sensor.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: The method comprises the monitoring system according to any one of claims 7 to 9; or comprises a controller, wherein the controller is used to implement the steps of the urea cavity monitoring method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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