Internal Combustion Engine Warm-Up Mode for Generator Emission Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with internal combustion engines driving generators, the catalytic device is often inactive at startup, leading to degraded emission performance due to increased emissions when the engine is started to generate electricity, especially in electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids with low start frequencies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a warm-up mode for the internal combustion engine before electricity generation, where the engine operates at a low rotational speed and load to activate the catalytic device, followed by an electricity generating mode that enhances engine output once the catalytic device is activated, thereby reducing emission degradation and improving purification efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the internal combustion engine output is increased to allow the generator to generate electricity at startup, then electricity generation capability is improved, but emission performance deteriorates because the catalytic device is inactive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by operating the internal combustion engine in a warm-up mode before electricity generation mode. During the warm-up mode, the engine runs at a higher rotational speed to heat the catalytic device and bring it to an activated state before the generator starts generating electricity, thus preventing harmful emissions during the transition to power generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically switching between two operational modes: warm-up mode and electricity generation mode. The controller adjusts the engine's rotational speed based on the catalytic device's activation state, transitioning from a higher speed during warm-up to an optimized speed during electricity generation, thereby balancing emission control with power generation efficiency
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the internal combustion engine operates in warm-up mode with reduced output, then emission performance is improved, but electricity generation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The warm-up mode serves as a preliminary action phase where the engine operates at a higher rotational speed to activate the catalytic device before transitioning to electricity generation mode. This preliminary heating action ensures that when full power generation begins, the emissions are already being controlled by the activated catalyst
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by dividing the engine operation into distinct time periods: a warm-up period with higher rotational speed for catalytic activation, followed by an electricity generation period with optimized rotational speed. This temporal separation allows the system to prioritize emission control initially, then switch to power generation optimization
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 prevents emission degradation at engine startup, rapidly activates the catalytic device, and ensures efficient electricity generation while minimizing emissions and energy consumption, making it suitable for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
Implementation Method 1
a catalytic device provided in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine and configured to purify exhaust gas exhausted from the internal combustion engine
Implementation Method 2
operates the internal combustion engine in a warm-up mode such that a driving force of the internal combustion engine for driving the generator is below a value
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a generator, an internal combustion engine for driving the generator, a catalytic device, and a controller for controlling the operation of the internal combustion engine. At a start of the internal combustion engine to allow the generator to start generating electricity, the controller, until the catalytic device reaches an activated state, operates the internal combustion engine in a warm-up mode such that the driving force of the internal combustion engine for driving the generator is below a value at which electricity is generated, and the controller, after the catalytic device reaches the activated state, operates the internal combustion engine in an electricity generating operating mode such that the driving force of the internal combustion engine is enhanced to the value at which electricity is generated to allow the generator to generate a predetermined quantity of electricity.