Cylinder Head Heating Device for Catalytic Converter Warm-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid drive devices, the catalytic converter in the exhaust gas system of internal combustion engines takes a long time to reach operating temperature during cold starts, leading to inefficient exhaust gas purification, especially when the internal combustion engine is deactivated, resulting in incomplete pollutant removal and increased pollutant emissions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a heating device integrated in the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine to mix a hot air stream with a cold fresh air stream upstream of the catalytic converter, adjusting the temperature to maintain the catalytic converter at its operating temperature, even when the engine is not active, thereby ensuring efficient heating and reducing pollutant emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the catalytic converter is heated by exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine, then the operating temperature is maintained during engine operation, but the catalytic converter temperature decreases when the engine is deactivated, leading to incomplete purification
Solution Approach 1:
A heating device is introduced as an intermediary component to heat the air stream that flows through the catalytic converter. This heating device operates independently of the engine state, using electrical heating elements or other heating mechanisms to maintain the catalytic converter at its operating temperature even when the engine is deactivated, thus ensuring reliable exhaust gas purification under all operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating device is activated in advance or continuously to preheat the air stream before it reaches the catalytic converter. This preliminary heating action ensures that the catalytic converter reaches and maintains its operating temperature quickly after engine start-up or reactivation, eliminating the temperature drop issue that occurs with exhaust gas heating alone.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the internal combustion engine is deactivated to reduce emissions during idle periods, then fuel consumption decreases, but the catalytic converter temperature drops below operating temperature, resulting in increased pollutant emissions upon reactivation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device serves as an intermediary that compensates for the temperature drop caused by engine deactivation. By independently heating the air stream that passes through the catalytic converter, it maintains the necessary operating temperature without requiring the engine to run continuously, thus preserving both fuel efficiency and emission control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thermal parameter (temperature) of the air stream using the heating device to maintain catalytic converter performance. This parameter change allows the catalytic converter to remain effective during and after engine deactivation, preventing the increase in pollutant emissions that would otherwise occur upon engine reactivation.
3Productivity
If the catalytic converter is heated quickly to reach operating temperature, then exhaust gas purification efficiency improves, but the time required for heating increases during cold starts
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device acts as an intermediary heating mechanism that supplements or replaces exhaust gas heating during cold starts. By providing direct heating to the air stream passing through the catalytic converter, it significantly reduces the time required to reach operating temperature compared to relying solely on exhaust gas heat, thus quickly enabling efficient exhaust gas purification.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating device performs preliminary heating of the air stream before it reaches the catalytic converter during cold starts. This preliminary action ensures that the catalytic converter reaches its operating temperature rapidly, minimizing the time period during which purification efficiency is low and maximizing productive operation as quickly as possible.
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 allows for rapid and consistent heating of the catalytic converter, ensuring complete exhaust gas purification and optimal operation of the heating device, while minimizing pollutant emissions across all engine states.
Implementation Method 1
a hot air stream which is heated by means of a heating device is supplied for heating
Implementation Method 2
the catalytic converter is heated on one hand by way of the exhaust gas which flows through the catalytic converter
Implementation Method 3
When passing through the exhaust gas system the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine is conducted through the catalytic converter
Implementation Method 4
in which a catalytically favorable reaction, in particular a reduction, takes place
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a drive device includes heating a hot air stream with a heating device integrated in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine of the drive device, wherein the internal combustion engine is connected with an exhaust gas system; mixing the hot air stream upstream of a catalytic converter with a cold fresh air stream for adjusting a defined temperature of the hot air stream; and supplying the hot air stream having the adjusted defined temperature to the catalytic converter in at least one operating state of the internal combustion engine so as to heat the catalytic converter.