Exhaust Gas Heating Power Supply Switching for Fuel Economy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for heating exhaust gases in motor vehicles to activate pollution control devices are inefficient, leading to increased fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide emissions when the alternator is used to power the heating device, especially under certain engine operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method where the exhaust gas heating device is powered by the alternator when the engine load is below a predetermined threshold and by the vehicle's battery when the engine load is above this threshold, optimizing power supply to minimize fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the alternator is used to supply the exhaust gas heating device, then the heating function is provided, but fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between two power sources (alternator and battery) based on real-time engine operating conditions. The control unit monitors engine parameters and dynamically selects the optimal power source for the heating device, transitioning from static to dynamic power supply management to resolve the contradiction between providing heat and minimizing fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the power supply system by introducing a threshold-based control mechanism. When engine load or speed exceeds predetermined thresholds, the system switches from alternator-powered heating to battery-powered heating or heating cessation, thereby optimizing the balance between thermal requirements and fuel efficiency across different operating conditions.
2Temperature
If the alternator supplies the heating device, then exhaust gases are heated, but nitrogen oxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power source for the heating device based on real-time engine operating conditions. By monitoring engine parameters and switching between alternator and battery power sources, the system minimizes nitrogen oxide emissions while ensuring adequate heating when environmentally critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter-based control where predetermined thresholds for engine load and speed determine the power supply mode. This changes the operational parameters of the heating system to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions during conditions when the engine is already under high stress.
3Reliability
If the heating device operates continuously, then pollution control devices are activated, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational continuity parameter of the heating device by implementing threshold-based control. Instead of continuous operation, the heating device operates only when engine load or speed falls below predetermined thresholds, thereby activating pollution control devices when necessary while minimizing fuel consumption during normal operating conditions.
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 fuel consumption and maintains effective nitrogen oxide emission control by adjusting the power source based on engine load, ensuring efficient operation of pollution control devices without increasing nitrogen oxide emissions.
Implementation Method 1
an alternator (40), said alternator (40) being arranged to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
an electric battery (50), said battery (50) being arranged to store electrical energy
Implementation Method 3
a device (20) for heating the exhaust gases... said device (20) being electrically supplied
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for electrically powering a heating device for at least a portion of the exhaust gases flowing in an exhaust line (130) of a motor vehicle's powertrain, at the outlet of an internal combustion engine of that powertrain. The motor vehicle also includes an electric battery (50) and an alternator (40). According to this method, in step a), the exhaust gas heating device is electrically powered by the alternator of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, step a) is carried out when the load of the vehicle's internal combustion engine is below a first predetermined load threshold value, and, when the load of the vehicle's internal combustion engine is greater than or equal to said first predetermined load threshold value, the exhaust gas heating device is powered in step b) by the vehicle's electric battery.