Exhaust Aftertreatment Temperature Control Before Uphill Climbs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining the optimal temperature of an exhaust aftertreatment system (EATS) in vehicles, particularly during uphill climbs in hilly terrain, is challenging without increasing fuel consumption, as existing cooling systems are inefficient and affect fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with processing circuitry predicts engine exhaust conditions and controls vehicle systems during downhill segments to meet a target temperature criterion before an uphill segment, ensuring the EATS temperature remains within optimal bounds using engine power, gear selection, and braking systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling systems are used to control EATS temperature during uphill climbs, then EATS temperature is maintained within optimal boundaries, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling action during the downhill road segment before the uphill climb. By controlling the EATS temperature to meet a target criterion during the downhill segment, the system prepares the thermal state in advance, eliminating the need for cooling systems during the uphill climb where fuel consumption would increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by preventing temperature increase during the downhill segment. Through predictive control, the system anticipates the temperature rise that would occur during uphill climbing and takes counteracting measures during the downhill segment to ensure temperature remains within optimal boundaries, thereby avoiding the need for cooling during fuel-intensive uphill operation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If engine power and braking systems are controlled during downhill segments to manage EATS temperature, then NOx emissions are reduced during uphill climbs, but vehicle control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control by continuously monitoring the actual EATS temperature and comparing it with the target temperature criterion. Based on this feedback, the processing circuitry adjusts engine power and braking system control during the downhill segment to ensure the temperature meets the predetermined target, enabling adaptive control that reduces NOx emissions while managing system complexity through intelligent regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical cooling systems with a predictive control approach that uses engine power and braking system coordination. By substituting dedicated cooling machinery with intelligent control of existing vehicle systems, the solution reduces overall system complexity while achieving the same thermal management objective and NOx reduction effect.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a computer system (100) comprising processing circuitry (110) configured to control a vehicle (1), the processing circuitry being configured to: - determine that an expected travelling route (200) of the vehicle comprises a downhill road segment (201) followed by an uphill road segment (202), - predict an engine exhaust condition of an engine (2) of the vehicle, wherein the engine exhaust condition is expected to apply while driving the vehicle along the uphill road segment, - determine a target temperature criterion for an exhaust aftertreatment system (3) of the vehicle based on the predicted engine exhaust condition, - control the vehicle during the downhill road segment such that a temperature of the exhaust aftertreatment system meets the target temperature criterion at a beginning (202a) of the uphill road segment. The invention further relates to a corresponding method, vehicle, computer program product and computer-readable storage medium.