Exhaust Aftertreatment Aging Control Through Predictive Torque Limiting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for reducing exhaust gas pollutant emissions in vehicles often result in increased space, weight, material costs, and reduced driving performance, while also accelerating the aging of exhaust gas aftertreatment components due to individual driving behaviors.

Innovation Solution

A predictive procedure that uses an aging model to determine the current aging state of exhaust gas aftertreatment components, calculates a permissible moment based on operating parameters and characteristic values, and triggers a control command to adjust engine performance and reduce excessive current requirements, thereby slowing down the aging process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If oversized catalytic converters are installed to reduce pollutant emissions, then emission compliance is improved, but installation space requirements and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollutant emissionsVSAvoidexhaust aftertreatment component weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the exhaust aftertreatment system by dynamically adjusting the air-to-fuel ratio and controlling exhaust gas recirculation. This allows the existing component size to operate more effectively across different driving conditions, reducing the need for oversized components while maintaining emission compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic control of the exhaust aftertreatment process, continuously adapting to varying driving conditions and torque demands. This dynamic operation optimizes the performance of standard-sized components, eliminating the need for larger static components that would be required to handle peak emissions under all possible conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If vehicle power output is limited to protect exhaust aftertreatment components, then component aging is reduced, but driving performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent service lifeVSAvoidvehicle power output
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of component aging state and predictive assessment of aging progression before excessive damage occurs. By monitoring aging indicators in advance, the system can implement protective measures at optimal moments rather than requiring continuous power limitation, thus preserving both component life and driving performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors the aging state of exhaust aftertreatment components and adjusts operating parameters accordingly. This closed-loop control allows the system to permit higher power output when components are in good condition while providing protection only when aging indicators suggest vulnerability, eliminating the need for continuous power limitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If components are replaced preventively to ensure emission compliance, then emission reliability is improved, but workshop visits and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission complianceVSAvoidworkshop visit frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of preventive component replacement with a sensor-based monitoring and electronic control system. By using aging models and real-time data analysis, the system can predict component status and adjust operating parameters to extend component life, substituting physical replacement with intelligent control and significantly reducing maintenance frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If temperature in the exhaust gas recirculation system is increased to protect components, then component aging is reduced, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent aging resistanceVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic parameter changes in the exhaust gas recirculation process, adjusting temperature and flow rate based on real-time aging state assessment. Rather than maintaining constantly high temperatures to protect components, the system optimizes thermal parameters according to actual component condition and driving requirements, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while providing protection only when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4538510A1Method for influencing an aging process of a component of an exhaust gas aftertreatment for a vehicle, computer program, control device, drive machine and motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP4538510A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4538510A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4538510A1 patent drawingFigure 4a

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for influencing an aging process of a component (1) of an exhaust aftertreatment system for a vehicle (200), comprising: - Predictive determination of an aging state (20) of the component (1) using an aging model (21); - Determining a characteristic value (23) from operating parameters derived from previous torque requirements; - Determining a permissible torque (25) taking into account the aging state (20) of the component (1) and the characteristic value (23) at which a limit value (27) of a conforming aging condition of the component (1) is undercut; - Comparison of a current torque requirement (29) with the permissible torque (25); - Output of a signal (30) when the current torque requirement (29) exceeds the permissible torque (25);and - triggering a control command (31) of a motor control unit (160), wherein the control command (31) is selected in deviation of the current instantaneous demand (29) from the permissible instantaneous demand (25). The invention further relates to a computer program (150) comprising commands which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause it to execute the method according to the invention, a control unit (160) configured to execute the method according to the invention, a drive motor (100) with the control unit (160) according to the invention, and a motor vehicle (200) with the drive motor (100) according to the invention.