Hybrid Vehicle Controller Motoring Catalyst Temperature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion engines and three-way catalyst devices, the catalyst temperature increase control is limited when performed by introducing unburned air-fuel mixtures, leading to potential clogging of particulate filters due to incomplete particulate removal and reduced exhaust purification performance.
Innovation Solution
A controller for hybrid vehicles executes a motoring control to rotate the crankshaft with motor power while combustion is stopped, allowing fuel injection to introduce unburned air-fuel mixtures into the exhaust passage, thereby increasing the three-way catalyst device temperature, and includes charge control to optimize battery state and engine warm-up for efficient catalyst temperature increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If catalyst temperature increase control is executed by introducing unburned air-fuel mixture into the exhaust passage during coasting, then the particulates deposited in the filter can be burned and removed, but the opportunity to execute the control is limited and the catalyst temperature increase control may not be executed at necessary timings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the crankshaft rotation mode to switch between power generation (combustion) and motoring (rotation without combustion) modes. This dynamic switching allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements, executing catalyst temperature increase control at any necessary timing by temporarily switching to motoring mode with fuel injection, rather than being constrained to coasting conditions only.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the crankshaft rotation system universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: power generation during combustion operation and motoring during catalyst temperature increase control. The same motor can serve both as a generator during normal operation and as a motor for rotating the crankshaft during fuel introduction processes, eliminating the need for separate systems and enabling flexible control execution.
2Temperature
If catalyst temperature increase control is executed by introducing unburned air-fuel mixture, then the three-way catalyst device temperature can be increased, but the combustion operation must be stopped requiring external power for crankshaft rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the motor serve dual purposes: generating power during normal combustion operation and providing motoring power during catalyst temperature increase control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate power sources or complex additional systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to increase catalyst temperature effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power generation function and motoring function into a single motor system. By combining these opposing functions into one component, the system reduces complexity and achieves space efficiency, while the control system intelligently switches between the two modes based on operational requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If the crankshaft is rotated by external power during catalyst temperature increase control, then unburned air-fuel mixture can be introduced into the exhaust passage, but the combustion operation must be stopped reducing power generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent fuel injection during motoring mode to introduce unburned air-fuel mixture into the exhaust passage at specific intervals. This periodic fuel introduction, synchronized with crankshaft rotation, ensures sufficient unburned mixture is delivered to the catalyst while maintaining control over the process, balancing particulate removal needs with energy efficiency.
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 enables more flexible and timely execution of catalyst temperature increase control, effectively burning and removing particulates from filters and maintaining exhaust purification performance by ensuring the catalyst temperature increase control can be executed at suitable timings and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a motor capable of transmitting power to the internal combustion engine
Implementation Method 2
the air-fuel mixture burns in the three-way catalyst device, thereby increasing the temperature of the three-way catalyst device
Implementation Method 3
When the heat of the high-temperature gas increases the temperature of the filter to become greater than or equal to the ignition point of the particulates
Data Source
AI summary
A controller configured to control a hybrid vehicle includes a catalyst temperature increase control unit configured to execute a catalyst temperature increase control of increasing a temperature of a three-way catalyst device, a motoring control of rotating a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine with power of a motor in a state in which combustion of the internal combustion engine is stopped, and a fuel introduction process of introducing unburned air-fuel mixture into an exhaust passage by performing fuel injection in the internal combustion engine during the execution of the motoring control.