Catalyst Heating Control via V2V Network Predictions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle exhaust systems face challenges in efficiently warming up catalysts to optimal operating temperatures during certain drive conditions, such as extended idle, leading to reduced fuel economy and negative driver experience, as intrusive heating actions may not yield desired emissions reduction.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts catalyst heating actions based on anticipated drive conditions through vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) network communications and navigation data, delaying or inhibiting heating actions when catalysts cannot reach operating temperature within a predicted duration, and enabling actions when favorable conditions are expected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If intrusive powertrain actions are taken to heat the exhaust system, then the catalyst reaches optimal operating temperature, but fuel economy is reduced and driver experience is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of drive conditions using V2V communications and navigation data to predict whether the vehicle will remain stationary or move soon. This preliminary action allows the system to avoid unnecessary catalyst heating actions by anticipating favorable conditions that will naturally warm the exhaust system, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving catalyst temperature and maintaining fuel economy
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors drive conditions, catalyst temperature, and predicted vehicle movement through feedback from V2V communications and navigation systems. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of heating actions, ensuring catalysts are warmed only when necessary and favorable conditions exist, thus optimizing both temperature achievement and fuel economy
2Temperature
If catalyst heating actions are taken during extended idle conditions, then the catalyst temperature increases, but the heating actions are wasted and do not yield desired emissions reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of anticipated drive conditions using V2V communications and navigation data before initiating catalyst heating actions. By predicting whether the vehicle will remain stationary or move soon, the system avoids wasteful heating during extended idle conditions where emissions reduction would not be achieved, thus eliminating energy loss while maintaining temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows favorable drive conditions (vehicle movement) to naturally warm the exhaust system and catalyst without requiring active heating intervention. This self-service approach utilizes the vehicle's own operational conditions to achieve catalyst temperature, eliminating wasted fuel while maintaining effective emissions reduction capability
3Loss of energy
If V2V network communications and navigation data are used to predict drive conditions, then unnecessary heating actions are avoided, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages existing multi-functional components (V2V communication modules, navigation systems, engine control units) to perform catalyst temperature management. By making these existing components serve the additional function of predicting drive conditions and controlling heating actions, the system achieves fuel cost optimization without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing communication protocols and data exchange mechanisms as intermediaries to share drive condition information between vehicles and with navigation systems. This intermediary approach allows the system to access necessary predictive data through established communication channels rather than requiring entirely new communication infrastructure, thus reducing the complexity increase
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 enhances driver experience by optimizing fuel costs and reducing unnecessary heating actions, ensuring catalysts are warmed only when favorable conditions allow for effective emissions reduction.
Implementation Method 1
Diesel and gasoline vehicle exhaust systems may include one or more catalytic and/or emissions storage devices
Implementation Method 2
various heating actions may be taken in the powertrain to deliver heat to the exhaust system in order to heat the device to its optimal operating temperature
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine to adjust exhaust warm-up strategy based on a vehicle network information. In one example, in response to an expected decrease in temperature of a catalyst of a vehicle below a threshold and an estimated duration thereof based on communications external from the vehicle, a method may include delaying catalyst heating actions, when the catalyst heating actions are determined to be unable to heat up the catalyst to threshold temperatures. However, the catalyst heating actions may be enabled when the catalyst heating actions are determined to be able to achieve the threshold temperature within the duration.