Engine Emission Control After Cold Start Without Power Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for operating combustion engines with exhaust gas treatment systems struggle to meet pollutant emission limits immediately after a cold start, leading to potential performance limitations and increased exhaust gas emissions, especially during high power output conditions.
Innovation Solution
A procedure that adjusts the operation of the internal combustion engine by limiting performance and adjusting exhaust gas recirculation, fuel injection, and active heating measures to maintain exhaust gas treatment device effectiveness, while providing warning thresholds to drivers to optimize emissions and prevent exceeding legal limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the internal combustion engine operates at high power output immediately after cold start, then the vehicle can deliver required performance, but exhaust gas emissions exceed legal limits because aftertreatment devices are below light-off temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of exhaust aftertreatment devices before normal operation begins. Heating elements are activated during cold start to raise the temperature of catalytic converters and particulate filters above their light-off temperatures beforehand, ensuring they are ready to treat exhaust gases effectively when the engine starts, thus preventing emission violations during high-power operation
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the engine management and exhaust aftertreatment devices. It monitors the temperature status of aftertreatment devices and intermediates the conflict between power demand and emission control by activating heating elements or adjusting engine parameters to maintain aftertreatment effectiveness without sacrificing required engine performance
2Loss of time
If active heating measures are applied to exhaust aftertreatment devices, then light-off temperature is reached faster, but additional energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust aftertreatment system uses self-service heating where the exhaust gas itself, which is already hot during engine operation, is used to heat the aftertreatment devices. The system design allows exhaust gases to flow through heating channels or jackets surrounding the catalytic converters and filters, utilizing the thermal energy already present in the exhaust stream rather than requiring separate external heating sources
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically based on temperature conditions. During cold start, the control system adjusts engine parameters such as fuel injection timing and amount, and activates heating elements temporarily. As the aftertreatment devices reach operating temperature, these additional heating measures are discontinued, optimizing the balance between heating effectiveness and energy consumption
3Reliability
If exhaust aftertreatment devices are maintained above light-off temperature continuously, then emission effectiveness is ensured, but fuel consumption increases due to less efficient engine operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine operation based on real-time temperature monitoring of exhaust aftertreatment devices. When devices are below light-off temperature, the system implements measures to raise temperature quickly. Once the light-off temperature is reached and maintained, the system transitions to normal efficient operation modes, dynamically switching between different operational states to balance emission effectiveness with fuel economy
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies heating measures periodically rather than continuously. Heating elements are activated in periodic cycles during cold start phases to bring aftertreatment devices up to temperature. Once operational temperature is achieved, heating is discontinued and only activated periodically if temperature drops below threshold, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining emission effectiveness during critical periods
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 ensures that exhaust gas emissions remain within defined limits, avoiding performance restrictions and encouraging environmentally friendly driving practices, thereby ensuring compliance with emission regulations and reducing pollutant emissions.
Implementation Method 1
the exhaust aftertreatment devices integrated into the exhaust system, which may include one or more catalytic converters
Implementation Method 2
a particulate filter
Implementation Method 3
which may, for example, comprise electric heating elements
Implementation Method 4
or be designed as burners
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Method for operating a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine comprising an internal combustion engine and an exhaust system with an exhaust aftertreatment device, wherein at least one environmental emission (14) of an exhaust component or several exhaust components contained in exhaust gas produced by the internal combustion engine is determined and, if a limitation threshold (15) for the environmental emission (14) of the exhaust component or at least one of the exhaust components is exceeded, the operation of the internal combustion engine is limited with respect to the power output, and wherein, if a warning threshold (16) for the environmental emission (14) of the exhaust component or at least one of the exhaust components is exceeded, which is lower than the limitation threshold (15), a warning message is triggered and/or the operation of the internal combustion engine is adjusted in a power-neutral manner such that the environmental emission (14) of the exhaust component is reduced.