EHC Driver Notification for Cold-Start Emissions and Warmup Holdbacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically heated catalysts in vehicles do not operate efficiently at low temperatures, leading to incomplete pre-heating and increased emissions during cold starts, especially in plug-in hybrid vehicles where sudden high load demands occur.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to notify the driver about the EHC's operational state and provide a bypass function to vehicle operation holdbacks, allowing the driver to adjust their behavior and potentially override restrictions to reduce emissions by comparing sensor data with threshold values and using an electronic control unit to manage EHC-related display content and vehicle operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the EHC is used to heat the catalyst prior to engine start up, then the catalyst reaches light-off temperature faster, but the vehicle's power battery energy is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the EHC using the power battery before engine start-up to ensure the catalyst reaches light-off temperature quickly. The notification system alerts the driver in advance about the heating status and potential driveability restrictions, allowing the driver to prepare for or avoid high-load demands during the warm-up period.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification system provides continuous feedback to the driver about the EHC heating status, battery energy level, and resulting driveability restrictions. This feedback loop enables the driver to adjust behavior accordingly, such as avoiding aggressive acceleration when the EHC is still heating, thereby managing the trade-off between catalyst temperature and battery energy consumption.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the driver is notified about EHC heating status and driveability restrictions are imposed, then emissions are reduced, but the ease of operation of the vehicle decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary anti-action by notifying the driver in advance about driveability restrictions before they fully manifest. The notification includes information about EHC heating status and potential limitations on vehicle performance, allowing the driver to adjust expectations and behavior proactively rather than reacting to sudden performance limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The driveability restrictions are implemented dynamically based on real-time EHC heating status and battery energy levels. The notification system continuously updates the driver about the current operational state, and the restrictions are adjusted as the EHC approaches light-off temperature or battery energy is replenished, making the system adaptable rather than static.
3Power
If the vehicle operates with high load demand during cold start, then the driver's performance requirement is met, but harmful emissions increase due to incomplete catalytic conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the EHC before engine start-up to ensure the catalyst is ready for immediate high-load operation. By advancing the heating action to occur during vehicle idle or low-load periods, the system prepares the catalyst in advance so that when high power demand occurs, the EHC is already at or near light-off temperature and can effectively convert emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification system provides real-time feedback to the driver about EHC heating status and driveability restrictions. This feedback enables the driver to make informed decisions about when to apply high load demand, such as waiting for the notification to indicate the EHC is sufficiently heated, thereby avoiding high-emission scenarios while still meeting performance requirements when appropriate.
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 EHC efficiency by informing drivers of inefficient operating states and allowing them to adjust their driving habits, thereby reducing harmful emissions and improving catalyst performance during cold starts.
Implementation Method 1
EHCs are catalytic converters adapted to be heated by electrical energization. For example, some EHCs may be adapted to be heated by electrical resistance heaters.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of electrically heating catalyst (EHC) driver notification are provided. With the goal of increasing driver cooperation in reducing emissions, EHC driver notification systems notify the driver when the EHC is in an inefficient operation state. This notification is provided to the driver so that the driver may consciously operate the vehicle in a fashion that reduces emissions while the EHC is in the inefficient operation state. EHC driver notifications systems may also restrict operation of the vehicle when the EHC is in an inefficient operation state. However, for safety reasons, these systems provide the driver a function to bypass the restriction as needed.