Hybrid Power Control Using Predictive Catalyst Temperature Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid vehicles face inefficiencies in fuel economy and emission control, particularly during creep idling, low catalyst temperatures, and initial engine startup, which lead to increased nitrogen oxide emissions.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that uses current and lookahead information to optimize the operation of hybrid powertrains by determining target hybrid control surfaces, learning from operator history, and adjusting engine and electric motor power based on predicted driving conditions, traffic, and SCR system temperatures to minimize fuel consumption and emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the engine operates during creep idling to maintain vehicle movement, then the vehicle can move forward, but fuel economy deteriorates due to unnecessary fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The controller predicts future driving conditions and catalyst temperatures in advance to determine whether the engine should be turned on or off before the actual driving condition arises. This allows the system to avoid unnecessary engine operation during creep idling while ensuring the engine is activated in time when needed for power or catalyst heating, thereby improving fuel economy without compromising vehicle movement capability.
2Reliability
If the engine operates to heat the catalyst to optimal temperature, then the SCR system efficiency improves, but nitrogen oxide emissions increase during the warm-up period
Solution Approach 1:
The controller predicts future catalyst temperatures and driving conditions to determine the optimal timing for engine operation. By anticipating when catalyst heating will be necessary, the system can turn off the engine during periods when catalyst temperature is sufficient, thereby reducing nitrogen oxide emissions while maintaining SCR system efficiency when actually needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors actual catalyst temperature, predicted driving conditions, and predicted future temperatures to dynamically adjust engine operation. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize the balance between maintaining catalyst temperature for SCR efficiency and minimizing engine operation to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions during the warm-up period.
3Speed
If the engine is turned on while the vehicle is stopped to maintain power availability, then the vehicle can respond quickly to acceleration demands, but nitrogen oxide emissions increase due to prolonged engine operation
Solution Approach 1:
The controller predicts future driving conditions and power demands before they occur. By anticipating acceleration requests or power needs, the system can keep the engine off during stopped conditions and only activate it when genuinely needed, thereby maintaining acceleration response capability while minimizing nitrogen oxide emissions from prolonged idle operation.
4Device complexity
If the controller uses only current state information for engine control decisions, then the control system remains simple, but fuel economy and emissions performance deteriorate due to inability to predict future conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The controller incorporates prediction of future driving conditions and catalyst temperatures into the control decision-making process. By anticipating future states, the system can make more informed decisions about engine operation timing, improving fuel economy and emissions performance. The prediction functionality adds complexity but remains computationally efficient, achieving a balance between control sophistication and system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for improving fuel economy and reducing emissions of a vehicle with an electric motor, an engine, an energy storage device, and a controller are disclosed. The method includes obtaining current state information including a current hybrid control surface, and determining a target hybrid control surface for the vehicle based on the current state information.