Vehicle Emissions Trap Purge Control via Driving Cycle Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intermittent vehicle actions, such as regeneration procedures, increase fuel consumption and emissions, and the timing of these procedures can affect emissions, posing challenges in maintaining efficient vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A control system that predicts the end of a driving cycle and controls the purging of emissions traps to reduce emissions in the next cycle by determining the efficiency of purging and scheduling it based on the likelihood of slippage and the operating efficiency of the selective catalyst reduction system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If regeneration or purge procedures are performed to maintain efficient operation of aftertreatment devices, then emissions are reduced, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary purging of the NOx adsorber trap before the end of the current driving cycle by predicting the end of the driving cycle and scheduling the purge operation accordingly. This allows the adsorber to be reset in advance, ensuring it is ready to capture emissions at the start of the next driving cycle, thereby reducing emissions without requiring intensive regeneration procedures that would increase fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vehicle's existing exhaust heat and normal operating conditions to perform the purging operation, rather than requiring separate high-energy regeneration procedures. The purge is integrated into the normal vehicle operation, allowing the adsorber to service itself using resources already available during normal driving.
2Reliability
If purge procedures are performed frequently to maintain adsorber capacity, then emissions capture efficiency is improved, but fuel consumption and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the capacity of the NOx adsorber trap and uses this feedback information to determine when purging is necessary. By basing the purge decision on actual adsorber capacity rather than operating on a fixed schedule, the system avoids unnecessary purge operations that would consume fuel, while ensuring the adsorber is purged when needed to maintain high emissions capture efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the purge operation by scheduling it to occur at specific times relative to the predicted end of the driving cycle, rather than using fixed intervals or continuous operation. This parameter optimization allows the purge to be performed at the most efficient moment, balancing emissions capture efficiency with fuel consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the timing of regeneration procedures is delayed to reduce fuel consumption, then emissions from the procedure are reduced, but emissions slippage from the adsorber may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs the purge operation as a preliminary action before the end of the current driving cycle, ensuring the adsorber is reset in advance. By predicting when the driving cycle will end, the system schedules the purge to complete before that time, guaranteeing the adsorber will be ready to capture emissions at the start of the next cycle without risking slippage, while still delaying the operation enough to minimize fuel consumption.
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 optimizes the purging of emissions traps to minimize emissions and improve fuel efficiency by preemptively preparing the emissions trap for the next driving cycle, reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
determine a likelihood of slippage from an emissions trap of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
determine an efficiency of a selective catalyst reduction system of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system being arranged to: determine a prediction of an end of a current driving cycle of the vehicle, determine a likelihood of slippage from an emissions trap of the vehicle in a next driving cycle of the vehicle in dependence on the prediction of the end of the current driving cycle, and control purging of the emissions trap prior to the prediction of the end of the current driving cycle in dependence on the likelihood of slippage.