Exhaust Gas Temperature Control for Catalyst Warm-Up Without Overheating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for rapidly increasing exhaust gas temperature to optimize catalytic converters often result in the internal temperature exceeding the predefined range, leading to degradation of catalytic components and reduced emission reduction capability.

Innovation Solution

A regulation method and device that control the exhaust gas temperature upstream of the catalyst by determining a second setpoint for air torque reserve, combined with a first setpoint, to maintain the catalyst within its optimal temperature range, using proportional regulation and lookup tables to adjust temperature differences and engine conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a reserve of air torque is added to rapidly increase exhaust gas temperature for catalyst activation, then the catalyst reaches optimal temperature faster, but the internal temperature of the catalyst may exceed the upper limit of its predefined temperature range causing degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst heating speedVSAvoidcatalyst component durability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the actual temperature of the catalyst and compares it with the target temperature. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the reserve of air torque in real-time to maintain the catalyst temperature within the optimal range, preventing both insufficient heating and overheating that would cause degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the parameter of reserve of air torque based on the catalyst's actual temperature state. By adjusting this parameter according to temperature feedback, the system achieves rapid heating when needed while preventing temperature from exceeding the upper limit, thus resolving the contradiction between heating speed and component durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the exhaust gas temperature is increased rapidly to optimize catalyst function, then emission reduction efficiency improves, but the risk of catalytic component degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission reduction efficiencyVSAvoidthermal degradation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit uses temperature feedback from the catalyst to regulate the reserve of air torque. This ensures that the exhaust gas temperature is increased sufficiently to optimize catalyst function and emission reduction, while simultaneously preventing temperature from rising to levels that would cause thermal degradation of catalytic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system preemptively adjusts the reserve of air torque to cushion against potential temperature overshoot. By monitoring temperature trends and adjusting the heating rate in advance, the system prevents thermal degradation before it occurs, allowing aggressive heating when safe and conservative heating when approaching temperature limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Prevents excessive temperature increases, safeguarding catalytic components and maintaining emission reduction efficiency by ensuring the catalyst operates within its predefined temperature range.

Implementation Method 1

a first temperature of exhaust gases upstream of a catalyst is regulated according to a second setpoint in order to promote obtaining a second chosen temperature of the exhaust gases in the catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4678905A1Controlling an exhaust gas temperature of a vehicle upstream of a catalyst
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4678905A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4678905A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4678905A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A control method is implemented in a vehicle comprising a thermal engine whose operating speed is determined by a first setpoint representing a supply air torque, and which produces exhaust gases that feed a catalytic converter exhaust system. This method includes a step (10-30) in which a second setpoint is determined, representing a reserve of air torque intended to heat the catalytic converter and intended to be combined with the first setpoint, and a first exhaust gas temperature upstream of the catalytic converter is regulated according to this second setpoint to promote the achievement of a second chosen exhaust gas temperature in the catalytic converter.