Hybrid Vehicle Catalyst Heater Control for Low Emission Zone Exit
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, the catalyst of the internal combustion engine may be inactive when the state of charge (SOC) of the battery becomes lower than a certain threshold, leading to increased exhaust emissions when the engine is started, especially when transitioning out of low emission zones.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes an electric heater for the catalyst, a position determination unit, and a heater control unit to activate the electric heater when the vehicle is exiting a low emission zone and the battery SOC is low, ensuring the catalyst is active before the engine is started.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the internal combustion engine is started to generate electricity when the battery SOC becomes lower than the first set value, then the battery is charged, but the catalyst may be inactive leading to increased exhaust emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The electric heater is activated in advance before the internal combustion engine is started, ensuring the catalyst reaches its activation temperature beforehand. This preliminary heating action prevents harmful emissions when the engine starts, as the catalyst is already ready to process exhaust gases effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric heater applies a counter-action to the potential harm by heating the catalyst before the engine starts. This preliminary anti-action neutralizes the risk of increased emissions by ensuring the catalyst is active and ready to function before any exhaust gases are produced.
2Reliability
If the electric heater is turned on when the battery SOC is low, then the catalyst is activated, but additional energy is consumed from the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the control parameter from a fixed SOC threshold to a dynamic threshold that varies based on vehicle conditions. When the vehicle is in the exit area of a low emission zone, the heater control unit adjusts the heater activation criteria, considering both SOC and location, to optimize the balance between catalyst activation and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater control strategy is made dynamic by incorporating location information from the exit area detection. The system adapts its behavior based on whether the vehicle is in the exit area, adjusting when to activate the heater to minimize energy consumption while ensuring catalyst readiness when needed most.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the hybrid vehicle travels in EV mode in the low emission zone, then emissions are reduced, but the battery SOC gradually decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the catalyst while the vehicle is still in the exit area of the low emission zone, before the battery SOC becomes critically low. This advance preparation ensures that when the vehicle needs to switch to HV mode to recharge the battery, the catalyst is already active and ready, minimizing the duration of potential emissions.
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 solution ensures the catalyst is activated before the hybrid vehicle leaves a low emission zone, reducing the risk of increased exhaust emissions and allowing the engine to be started efficiently, thereby minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an electric heater configured to heat a catalyst of an internal combustion engine
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a hybrid vehicle includes: an electric heater configured to heat a catalyst of an internal combustion engine; a position determination unit configured to determine whether the hybrid vehicle is located in an exit area of a low emission zone where operation of the internal combustion engine is supposed to be restricted, the exit area being an area adjacent to a boundary of the low emission zone; and a heater control unit configured to turn on the electric heater when the position determination unit determines that the hybrid vehicle is located in the exit area.