Hybrid Vehicle Exhaust Aftertreatment Efficiency Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid electric vehicles, the temperature of exhaust after treatment devices like SCR units often falls below the operational threshold, compromising efficiency and increasing emissions, especially in urban vehicles where the engine is frequently turned off or operates at low loads, leading to suboptimal energy use and emissions control.
Innovation Solution
A method to control the hybrid vehicle propulsion system by determining the efficiency of the exhaust after treatment device and engine operation history to decide whether to run the engine, adjusting gear shift strategies, and implementing high heat modes to maintain device efficiency, thereby optimizing energy use and emissions control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is turned off or operated at low load during extensive time periods to optimize energy efficiency, then energy use efficiency is improved, but the exhaust after treatment device temperature falls below the effective operating point
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing operational history data before it becomes critical. The control unit continuously records engine operation patterns, vehicle cycle information, and exhaust temperature trends in advance, allowing the system to predict when temperature will drop below effective levels and take preventive measures before emissions problems occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts engine operation based on real-time conditions and historical patterns. Rather than maintaining a fixed operating mode, the control unit continuously monitors exhaust temperature, vehicle cycle stage, and operational history to dynamically determine the optimal engine state, switching between off, low load, and higher load modes as conditions require.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the engine is run to increase exhaust after treatment device temperature and efficiency, then emissions are reduced, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by running the engine at elevated loads only for the minimum necessary duration to raise exhaust temperature to effective levels. Rather than maintaining continuous high-load operation, the control unit calculates the precise intervention needed based on current temperature, historical cooling rates, and predicted vehicle cycle progression, applying just enough engine power to achieve the temperature threshold.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring exhaust temperature, engine operation status, and vehicle cycle progression. The control unit uses this feedback to adjust engine operation in real-time, comparing actual temperature against target thresholds and modifying engine load or duration accordingly. The operational history feedback allows the system to learn from past interventions and optimize future decisions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the engine operation is frequently adjusted to maintain exhaust after treatment device efficiency, then emissions control is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions using a single integrated system. It simultaneously manages engine start/stop decisions, monitors exhaust temperature, tracks vehicle cycle progression, stores operational history, predicts future temperature trends, and determines optimal intervention strategies. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into one coordinated control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by automatically learning from operational history and making autonomous decisions about engine management. The control unit uses stored historical data to self-diagnose temperature trends, predict when intervention will be needed, and automatically adjust engine operation without requiring external input or complex external control systems. The operational history acts as a self-learning database that improves system performance over time.
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 the exhaust after treatment device operates efficiently while minimizing fuel consumption and emissions by strategically controlling engine operation based on vehicle cycles and operational histories, maintaining device efficiency without unnecessary engine running.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature of an exhaust after treatment device of the engine, such as a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit, may fall below a point at which the device works effectively
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle propulsion system that includes an internal combustion engine and an exhaust after treatment device for treating exhaust gases from the engine includes determining during operation of the vehicle a value of a parameter indicative of an efficiency of the exhaust after treatment device, identifying a vehicle operation cycle start event, determining during the operation of the vehicle an engine operation history characteristic for a time interval after the vehicle operation cycle start event, and determining whether or not to control the propulsion system so as to increase the efficiency of the exhaust after treatment device, in dependence on the determined exhaust after treatment device efficiency parameter value and the determined engine operation history characteristic.