Vehicle Catalyst Warmup Control via Resistance-Based Charge Threshold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aging conductive bases in electrically heated catalyst devices increase resistance, leading to longer heating times and increased electric power requirements, which can cause the battery state of charge to fall below a predetermined level before the catalyst is fully warmed up, potentially resulting in premature startup of the internal combustion engine and deteriorated exhaust emission.
Innovation Solution
A control device that adjusts the state of charge for catalyst warmup based on the resistance value of the conductive base, setting a higher state of charge when resistance is high to ensure the catalyst is fully warmed before the engine starts, thereby maintaining battery charge and preventing premature engine startup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the conductive base ages and resistance increases, then the heating time for the catalyst device becomes longer, but the electric power supplied to the conductive base falls
Solution Approach 1:
The control device calculates the heating time required to warm up the catalyst device based on the measured resistance value of the conductive base, and sets the state of charge threshold accordingly in advance. This preliminary calculation ensures that the battery has sufficient charge before starting heating, preventing the contradiction between extended heating time and insufficient power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device dynamically adjusts the state of charge threshold parameter based on the resistance value of the conductive base. When resistance increases due to aging, the threshold is raised to ensure sufficient battery charge is available for the extended heating period, thereby resolving the energy supply contradiction.
2Temperature
If the heating time becomes longer, then the catalyst device finishes warmup later, but the amount of driving-use electric power required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary calculation of the total electric power required, including both heating power and driving-use power, based on the resistance-derived heating time. By setting the state of charge threshold before heating starts, it ensures the battery has sufficient capacity to cover the entire extended heating period plus driving requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device uses feedback from the resistance value measurement to adjust the state of charge threshold. This feedback mechanism ensures that when heating time extends due to aging, the threshold is raised proportionally to account for the increased total power consumption, preventing battery depletion.
3Device complexity
If the state of charge threshold is set without considering resistance value, then the control is simpler, but the battery state of charge falls below the predetermined level before catalyst warmup completes
Solution Approach 1:
The control device changes the state of charge threshold parameter based on the resistance value of the conductive base. By dynamically adjusting this parameter according to actual aging conditions, the system maintains high reliability of warmup completion while keeping the control logic relatively simple through parameter adaptation rather than complex control algorithms.
4Speed
If the internal combustion engine is started before catalyst warmup completes, then the vehicle can be driven, but exhaust emission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary assessment of battery charge sufficiency based on resistance-derived heating time requirements before allowing engine shutdown. By ensuring the state of charge threshold is met in advance, it guarantees that the catalyst can complete warmup without requiring premature engine restart, thus preventing harmful emissions while maintaining vehicle operability.
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 ensures the catalyst is fully warmed before the internal combustion engine starts, maintaining efficient exhaust emission and preventing fuel efficiency deterioration by optimizing the state of charge for warmup based on the conductive base's resistance value.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive base 151 generating heat by supply of current
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for a vehicle is provided with a catalyst warmup control part supplying electric power to a conductive base to warm up a catalyst device if the temperature of the conductive base is less than a predetermined temperature and the state of charge of the battery is less than a second state of charge larger than a first state of charge when the state of charge of the battery is equal to or greater than the predetermined first state of charge and a driving mode of the vehicle is set to an EV mode in which at least the output of the rotary electric machine is controlled to make the vehicle run. The catalyst warmup control part sets the second state of charge so that the second state of charge becomes larger in the case where the resistance value of the conductive base is large compared to when it is small.