Battery-Powered Catalyst Heating for Hybrid Vehicle Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid electric vehicles, the after-treatment system's temperature decreases during electric-only driving, leading to emissions exceeding regulatory standards and customer dissatisfaction due to delayed engine starts, as the thermal energy from the engine is not maintained, necessitating a method to efficiently provide heat to the catalyst while predicting torque demands.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a battery-powered after-treatment system with a heating module and control module that determines operational parameters and predicts torque demands to selectively provide heat to the catalyst, ensuring optimal temperature is maintained before engine start, using a combination of GPS, ADAS, and driver input data to anticipate torque requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the engine is started to maintain thermal energy for the after-treatment system, then the catalyst temperature is maintained for emissions compliance, but the torque response is delayed due to preheating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the catalyst using the heating module before the engine is started. This preliminary action ensures that when the engine starts, the catalyst is already at or near optimal operating temperature, eliminating the need for post-start preheating and thus avoiding torque response delays while maintaining emissions compliance
2Temperature
If the heating module is activated to heat the catalyst, then the after-treatment temperature is maintained, but the battery energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The heating module is activated in advance during electric-only driving modes to preheat the catalyst before engine start is required. This preliminary heating action ensures emissions compliance is achieved before the engine runs, and the system monitors battery state of charge to manage energy consumption appropriately
Solution Approach 2:
The heating module operates periodically or in pulses rather than continuously, activating only when necessary to maintain catalyst temperature within optimal ranges. The control module monitors temperature and battery state, enabling the heating element only when both conditions warrant energy consumption for heating
3Speed
If the engine is started immediately upon torque demand, then the torque response is immediate, but the emissions requirements are exceeded due to cold catalyst
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst is preheated to optimal operating temperature before the engine is started in response to torque demand. This preliminary heating action ensures that when the engine starts and begins producing emissions, the catalyst is already active and can immediately convert harmful emissions, thus maintaining both immediate torque response and emissions compliance
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the battery state of charge is monitored to prevent depletion, then the battery durability is extended, but the heating control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control module continuously monitors the battery state of charge and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the heating module operation. When battery charge is high, more aggressive heating is permitted; when charge is low, heating is restricted or delayed. This feedback mechanism extends battery life by preventing depletion while managing heating control through adaptive logic
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach prevents emissions exceedance and reduces customer dissatisfaction by maintaining optimal after-treatment temperatures, allowing for timely engine starts while conserving battery energy and extending its durability.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element disposed within, or near to, the catalyst... the heating element can be selectively operated to provide heat to the catalyst
Implementation Method 2
catalytic converters are a specific type of engine after-treatment system that reduces pollutants in exhaust gases by catalyzing a redox reaction
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided to heat a catalyst of an after-treatment system for a vehicle. The after-treatment system is powered by a battery. An operational parameter of the battery and the driving mode of the vehicle is determined. After receiving an indication that a first operational parameter threshold has been surpassed and a torque demand of the vehicle has been predicted, heat is provided to the catalyst of the after-treatment system based on the predicted torque demand of the vehicle surpassing a second operational parameter threshold.