EATS Temperature Control During Downhill Engine Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining a sufficiently high temperature in the exhaust aftertreatment system (EATS) during downhill driving is challenging due to thermal inertia and the need for engine braking, which can decrease the EATS temperature.
Innovation Solution
A computer system controls engine speed and gear shifts to maintain engine braking while keeping the vehicle speed within a set range, using engine braking and service braking to manage EATS temperature by increasing or decreasing it as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If engine braking is used during downhill driving to maintain vehicle speed, then vehicle speed control is achieved, but EATS temperature decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine speed and gear selection based on real-time EATS temperature monitoring. When EATS temperature is sufficient, the system allows engine braking to maintain vehicle speed. When EATS temperature drops below thresholds, the system dynamically modifies engine operation to prioritize temperature maintenance while still controlling vehicle speed within acceptable ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes engine operating parameters (speed, torque, fuel injection) based on EATS temperature conditions. By adjusting these parameters, the system can either promote EATS heating when temperature is low or enable effective engine braking when temperature is sufficient, thus resolving the contradiction between speed control and temperature maintenance.
2Force
If fuel supply is discontinued to increase engine braking effect, then engine braking power increases, but EATS temperature decreases further
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors EATS temperature and uses this feedback to determine fuel supply strategy. When EATS temperature is already sufficient, fuel supply is discontinued to maximize engine braking effect. When EATS temperature is borderline or low, the system provides feedback-driven fuel injection to prevent temperature drop, thus maintaining both adequate braking power and EATS temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely discontinuing fuel supply, the system applies partial fuel injection when EATS temperature is borderline. This partial action provides just enough fuel to maintain EATS temperature above critical thresholds while still achieving sufficient engine braking effect, avoiding the extreme of complete fuel cutoff.
3Force
If gear is maintained to preserve engine braking, then engine braking effectiveness is maintained, but EATS temperature cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between maintaining current gear for engine braking effectiveness or shifting gears to promote EATS heating. When EATS temperature is sufficient, the system maintains current gear configuration. When EATS temperature needs maintenance, the system dynamically shifts to gear ratios that increase exhaust flow and EATS heating while still providing adequate vehicle speed control.
4Temperature
If service braking is used instead of engine braking to control vehicle speed, then EATS temperature can be maintained, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses EATS temperature feedback to intelligently select between engine braking and service braking. When EATS temperature is sufficient, engine braking is used to minimize fuel consumption. When EATS temperature drops, the system switches to service braking to maintain temperature, accepting the fuel consumption trade-off only when necessary for EATS temperature maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accepts the harmful effect of increased fuel consumption during service braking as a necessary means to protect the more critical EATS temperature. By temporarily accepting this harm, the system prevents the greater harm of EATS temperature drop, which would compromise emission control functionality.
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
Effectively manages EATS temperature during downhill driving, avoiding the use of fuel-consuming heaters and ensuring efficient exhaust gas cleaning by optimizing engine braking strategies.
Implementation Method 1
decreasing speed of an engine of the vehicle for causing engine braking in the downhill slope
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect, a computer system is provided comprising processing circuitry configured to acquiring information indicating a temperature of an exhaust aftertreatment system, EATS, of a vehicle, maintaining a current gear of the vehicle in response to the vehicle approaching a downhill slope and the acquired information indicating that the temperature should be increased, and decreasing speed of an engine of the vehicle for causing engine braking in the downhill slope, while maintaining a speed of the vehicle within a set vehicle speed range.