Hybrid Vehicle Control Device for Catalyst Warm-up
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, the warm-up of the catalyst device is often interrupted when the internal combustion engine is started to increase discharge allowable power, leading to incomplete purification of exhaust gases, especially during EV running modes where the engine is stopped.
Innovation Solution
A control device that modifies discharge allowable power based on running modes and the operation of the internal combustion engine, ensuring increased power during catalyst warm-up and maintaining it until the catalyst is fully warmed, preventing interruptions and extending EV running.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If discharge allowable power is increased during EV running to extend electric vehicle operation, then EV running duration is extended, but catalyst device warm-up is interrupted when engine is started
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary action by increasing discharge allowable power before the catalyst warm-up is interrupted. When the engine is started during EV running, the system proactively increases the discharge allowable power to compensate for the upcoming warm-up interruption, ensuring that the catalyst reaches its operating temperature without compromising EV running extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts discharge allowable power based on the engine operation state and catalyst warm-up progress. The discharge allowable power is increased when the engine is started during EV running, and this dynamic adjustment ensures that the catalyst warm-up process continues effectively while maintaining the extended EV running capability.
2Ease of operation
If discharge allowable power is increased to suppress internal combustion engine starting frequency, then EV running sense is improved, but catalyst purification function is compromised when warm-up is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The control device increases discharge allowable power in advance when detecting engine start during EV running, before the catalyst warm-up is interrupted. This preliminary power increase ensures that the catalyst can complete its warm-up process and achieve effective purification function, preventing the discharge of unprocessed harmful exhaust gases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from engine operation state and catalyst temperature to dynamically adjust discharge allowable power. When the engine is started and catalyst warm-up is detected, the feedback mechanism triggers an increase in discharge allowable power, ensuring that purification effectiveness is maintained while preserving the improved EV running sense.
3Reliability
If internal combustion engine is started to warm up catalyst device, then catalyst purification function is activated, but discharge allowable power decreases causing EV running interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary action by increasing discharge allowable power before the engine start causes EV running interruption. When the engine is started for catalyst warm-up, the system proactively adjusts the discharge allowable power to maintain EV running continuity, ensuring that the purification function is activated without compromising the extended EV operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts discharge allowable power based on the catalyst warm-up requirement and EV running state. This dynamic adjustment ensures that when the engine is started for purification purposes, the EV running continuity is maintained through increased discharge allowable power, resolving the contradiction between purification activation and EV running duration.
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 interruption of catalyst device warm-up, ensuring effective exhaust gas purification and extending EV running by dynamically adjusting discharge allowable power in response to running modes and engine operation.
Implementation Method 1
A catalyst device can generally purify the regulation-subject component in the exhaust gas once the catalyst temperature is increased by the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine and the catalyst is activated
Data Source
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AI summary
An ECU uses a map or the like prepared in advance to calculate (S 10) discharge allowable power (Wout) indicating electric power that can be discharged from a power storage device. When the running mode is at the CD mode and an engine is stopped (YES at S20), the ECU increases the discharge allowable power (Wout) to a predetermined value (S30). Furthermore, even when the running mode is at the CS mode or even when the engine is operating (NO at S20), the ECU increases (S30) the discharge allowable power (Wout) when a catalyst device provided at an exhaust pipe of the engine is currently warmed up (YES at S25).