Predictive Controller Modulating Engine Torque to Maintain Aftertreatment Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles in driver assist modes do not effectively manage transient engine operating conditions caused by changes in road grade and traffic, leading to reduced fuel efficiency and increased nitrogen oxide emissions due to fuel cut events, which cool the exhaust aftertreatment system and reduce its efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that predicts fuel cut events based on vehicle trajectory, road grade, and traffic conditions, modulating engine torque or speed to maintain optimal operating conditions of the exhaust aftertreatment system, preventing temperature drops and reducing nitrogen oxide emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle operates under transient engine conditions due to changing road grade or traffic, then the vehicle can adapt to varying external conditions, but fuel efficiency is reduced and nitrogen oxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller predicts future fuel cut events based on received information about vehicle trajectory, road grade, and traffic conditions before they occur. By anticipating these events in advance, the system can prepare and modulate engine torque or speed proactively, preventing the transient conditions that lead to energy loss and emissions, rather than merely reacting after the conditions arise.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle operates under transient engine conditions due to changing road grade or traffic, then the vehicle can adapt to varying external conditions, but nitrogen oxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller predicts future fuel cut events based on received information about vehicle trajectory, road grade, and traffic conditions before they occur. By anticipating these events in advance, the system can prepare and modulate engine torque or speed proactively, preventing the transient conditions that lead to excessive nitrogen oxide emissions from the aftertreatment system.
3Loss of energy
If the controller predicts fuel cut events and modulates engine torque or speed, then fuel efficiency is improved and emissions are reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving information about vehicle trajectory, road grade, and traffic conditions; predicting fuel cut events; and modulating engine torque or speed based on predictions. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional controller, the system achieves improved fuel efficiency and emissions reduction without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the controller predicts fuel cut events and modulates engine torque or speed, then nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving information about vehicle trajectory, road grade, and traffic conditions; predicting fuel cut events; and modulating engine torque or speed based on predictions. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional controller, the system achieves reduced nitrogen oxide emissions without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and apparatuses include a controller structured to: receive information indicative of an operating condition of a vehicle subsystem, receive information indicative of an external static condition, and receive information indicative of an external dynamic condition. The system is further configured to predict a fuel cut event based on at least one of the operating condition of the vehicle subsystem, the external static condition, and the external dynamic condition. Responsive to predicting a fuel cut event, the controller is structured to modulate at least one of a torque or a speed of the engine based on the operating condition of the vehicle subsystem and at least one of the information indicative of the external static condition and the external dynamic condition.