Internal Combustion Engine Exhaust Post-Treatment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for operating air-compressing fuel-injection internal combustion engines fail to balance low pollutant emissions and fuel consumption, often prioritizing thermodynamic efficiency over emission and fuel usage considerations.
Innovation Solution
A method that employs an exhaust gas post-treatment system with a particle filter and nitrogen oxide reduction catalytic converter, utilizing multiple operating settings with predefined parameters to optimize the system's operation, including a heating setting for rapid catalyst warming and a basic setting for reduced fuel consumption, along with adjustments in exhaust gas recirculation rates and fuel injection strategies to minimize pollutant emissions and consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heating operating setting is used to quickly warm up the exhaust gas post-treatment system, then the catalytic converter reaches operating temperature faster, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between heating operating setting and basic operating setting based on the warm-up status of the exhaust gas post-treatment system. The control unit monitors temperature thresholds and automatically transitions between settings, making the system adaptable rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by applying the heating setting only when necessary (during cold start) and switching to the more efficient basic setting once the catalyst is warm, thus limiting fuel consumption while achieving rapid warm-up when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operating parameters (exhaust gas recirculation rate, fuel injection timing, air-to-fuel ratio) between different operating settings to optimize performance. During warm-up, parameters are adjusted to prioritize temperature increase; after warm-up, parameters shift to prioritize fuel efficiency. This parameter transformation allows the system to resolve the contradiction by having different parameter sets optimized for different phases of operation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the heating operating setting is maintained for a longer duration, then pollutant emissions during warm-up are reduced, but additional fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the temperature of the exhaust gas post-treatment system and uses this feedback to determine when to switch from heating operating setting to basic operating setting. When the catalyst reaches a predefined temperature threshold indicating it is warm-up complete, the system automatically transitions to the more fuel-efficient basic setting. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining the heating setting only as long as necessary to reduce emissions, then switching to minimize fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the heating operating setting partially - only during the cold start phase when the catalyst is below the temperature threshold. Once the threshold is reached, the heating action is discontinued and the basic setting takes over. This partial application of the heating setting resolves the contradiction by providing emission control only when necessary, avoiding excessive fuel consumption during periods when the catalyst is already functional.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple operating settings with different exhaust gas recirculation rates are provided, then fuel efficiency is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it monitors temperature, determines warm-up status, selects appropriate operating settings, and manages transitions between settings. By making the control unit multi-functional rather than adding separate dedicated systems for each function, the patent achieves fuel efficiency optimization through multiple operating settings while minimizing the increase in system complexity. The existing control infrastructure is leveraged to handle multiple tasks.
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 reduces pollutant emissions during the warming phase, minimizes unnecessary energy consumption, and maintains effective exhaust gas treatment while optimizing fuel efficiency, allowing for lower nitrogen oxide emissions and reduced fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a nitrogen oxide reduction catalytic converter
Implementation Method 2
a heating operating setting is set, and in the warmed-up state... The heating operating setting ensures that catalytic exhaust gas cleaning components, (in particular the nitrogen oxide reduction catalytic converter) in the exhaust gas post-treatment system quickly reach their operating temperature
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for operating an air-compressing fuel-injection internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas post-treatment system with a particle filter and a nitrogen oxide reduction catalytic converter, a plurality of internal combustion engine operating settings are provided, each having respective predefined values for predefined internal combustion engine operating parameters. A heating operating setting is set when the internal combustion engine is warming up, while a basic operating setting is set in the warmed-up state. When the temperature in the exhaust gas system exceeds a predefinable first value, the heating operating setting is changed over to the basic operating setting. In the warmed-up state, at least one further (third) operating setting, with an exhaust gas recirculation rate that is reduced compared to the basic operating setting, is provided in addition to the basic operating setting.