Hybrid Catalyst Warm-Up Control via Mode-Specific Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, catalyst warm-up is often initiated immediately after switching to 'manner mode', causing incongruity for the driver due to insufficient warm-up when the State Of Charge (SOC) of the battery is high, leading to frequent and inefficient catalyst warm-up events.
Innovation Solution
A catalyst warm-up control method that delays the start of catalyst warm-up in 'manner mode' by setting a lower threshold temperature and controlling the engine's target rotation speed to a first warm-up required speed only when the catalyst temperature falls below a predetermined level, allowing the catalyst to be heated to a higher warm-up required temperature, thereby minimizing engine stop periods and reducing untreated gas discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If catalyst warm-up control is performed using a standard threshold temperature, then the catalyst can be activated effectively, but the engine stops frequently in manner mode causing driver incongruity and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a manner mode-specific threshold temperature that is lower than the standard threshold temperature. This allows the catalyst warm-up control to adapt to manner mode operation, reducing unnecessary engine stops while ensuring catalyst activation when truly needed. The threshold temperature parameter is changed based on the operating mode to resolve the contradiction between reliable catalyst activation and minimizing engine interruptions.
2Temperature
If the engine is operated for catalyst warm-up immediately after manner mode selection, then the catalyst temperature can be maintained, but the driver experiences incongruity due to unexpected engine operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the threshold temperature dynamic based on the operating mode. When manner mode is selected, a lower threshold temperature is used, which dynamically adjusts the warm-up trigger condition. This dynamic adjustment prevents unnecessary engine operations during manner mode, improving driver experience while still maintaining catalyst temperature through extended engine stop periods.
3Quantity of substance
If the SOC of the battery is high, then the engine power generation is limited, but the catalyst warm-up becomes insufficient leading to frequent warm-up events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by changing the threshold temperature parameter when manner mode is selected, regardless of SOC level. The lower manner mode threshold temperature allows the system to tolerate lower catalyst temperatures during manner mode, preventing frequent warm-up events even when engine power generation is limited due to high SOC. This parameter adaptation resolves the conflict between battery charge level and catalyst warm-up sufficiency.
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 ensures a longer engine stop period after selecting 'manner mode', reducing driver incongruity and minimizing untreated gas discharge by controlling the catalyst warm-up process based on vehicle speed and SOC, ensuring efficient catalyst operation.
Implementation Method 1
a catalyst disposed in the exhaust system of the engine
Implementation Method 2
the engine is operated/combusted for catalyst warm-up
Data Source
AI summary
A catalyst warm-up control method for a hybrid vehicle supplies electric power to an electric motor by a battery, to charge the battery by a power generation engine, and to treat exhaust gas from the engine with a catalyst, the hybrid vehicle selecting a manner mode in which power generation using the engine is stopped. The catalyst warm-up control method performs catalyst warm-up control such that when the temperature of the catalyst becomes lower than a normal threshold temperature for activating the catalyst, the target rotation speed of the engine is controlled to a first warm-up required rotation speed at which the catalyst can be heated to a temperature that is higher than the normal threshold temperature. When the manner mode is selected, control is performed when temperature of the catalyst becomes lower than a manner mode threshold temperature that is equal to or less than the normal threshold temperature.