Hybrid Vehicle Start-Up Control for Catalyst Heating and Battery Charge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid vehicles face high emissions of polluting particles during cold starts due to inefficient catalyst heating, leading to increased costs and mass with additional heating devices and oversized batteries.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing the startup of hybrid vehicles by measuring catalyst temperature and battery charge, prohibiting movement until thresholds are met, using the thermal engine to heat the catalyst and recharge the battery, and switching to pure electric mode once thresholds are reached, allowing the thermal engine to continue heating the catalyst without traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If additional heating devices and oversized battery are used to guarantee cold start in electric mode, then the catalyst can reach priming temperature faster, but the cost and mass of the vehicle increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal engine is made to serve dual purposes: providing propulsion and heating the catalyst. By utilizing the engine's own operation to generate heat through exhaust gases, the system eliminates the need for separate heating devices and oversized batteries, thereby reducing vehicle mass while still achieving catalyst priming temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal engine is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical propulsion for the vehicle and acts as a heat source for the catalyst during cold starts. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated heating equipment and reduces overall system mass.
2Temperature
If additional heating devices and oversized battery are used to guarantee cold start in electric mode, then the catalyst can reach priming temperature faster, but the cost of the vehicle increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal engine is made to serve dual purposes: providing propulsion and heating the catalyst. By utilizing the engine's own operation to generate heat through exhaust gases, the system eliminates the need for separate heating devices and oversized batteries, thereby reducing vehicle mass while still achieving catalyst priming temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal engine is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical propulsion for the vehicle and acts as a heat source for the catalyst during cold starts. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated heating equipment and reduces overall system mass.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the vehicle is prohibited from moving during cold start to allow catalyst heating, then emissions are reduced, but the loss of time for vehicle operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the vehicle operation mode based on real-time catalyst temperature. Instead of a static prohibition, the control system allows progressive operation while actively heating the catalyst, transitioning from a prohibited state to an authorized state as temperature thresholds are met, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining emission control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors catalyst temperature and adjusts vehicle operation authorization accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize the balance between emission reduction and operational time by authorizing movement when temperature conditions permit, rather than imposing a fixed time prohibition.
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 minimizes pollutant emissions during cold starts by optimizing catalyst temperature and battery charge, enabling the use of a lower-cost, lighter battery and reducing the need for additional heating devices.
Implementation Method 1
This temperature rise, generated by the temperature of the exhaust gases and/or by external equipment (electric heating), is more or less fast depending on the technology retained for the catalyst substrate.
Implementation Method 2
the heat engine drives the electric traction motor operating into generator mode in transforming a mechanical energy supplied by the heat engine into an electrical energy allowing to recharge the battery
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for managing a start-up of a hybrid-type motor vehicle (10) provided with a drivetrain (10') comprising: • - a combustion engine (11) associated with a catalytic converter (14); an electric traction motor (12) electrically connected to a battery (18); a clutch (16); and a gearbox (15), which are mounted on an axle assembly (13) of the motor vehicle (10), • - following a request to set the motor vehicle (10) in motion, said method comprising: • - a step of measuring a temperature (Tcat) of the catalytic converter (14), • - a step of determining a charge level (Nch) of the battery (18), and • - a step of optionally allowing the motor vehicle (10) to be set in motion as a function of the measured temperature (Tcat) of the catalytic converter (14) and of the charge level (Nch) of the battery (18) that has been previously determined.