Torque Control for SCR Urea Depletion in Work Vehicles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exhaust gas purification systems for work vehicles, such as wheel loaders, face challenges in managing engine output when the reducing agent solution, like urea water, is depleted, leading to potential engine stall due to varying load conditions and operational states, as they are not adequately designed to handle the distinct relationships between engine and hydraulic pump outputs.

Innovation Solution

A work vehicle system incorporating a hydraulic pump, rotational speed detection, an exhaust gas purification device, a remaining amount detection device, and a torque control unit that adjusts engine output torque and rotational speed based on the reducing agent solution's level, ensuring the engine's output torque is maintained above a threshold at low rotational speeds to prevent stall, even when the reducing agent is scarce.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the engine output is reduced when the reducing agent solution is depleted (as in automobile technology), then the exhaust gas purification is maintained, but the engine load becomes excessively large and engine stall occurs in work vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas purificationVSAvoidengine output
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the engine output torque based on the detected engine rotational speed and the remaining amount of reducing agent solution. When the reducing agent is depleted and engine speed is high, torque is reduced to maintain exhaust purification. When engine speed is low, torque is maintained to prevent stall. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining purification and preventing power loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the engine output torque characteristic changeable according to operating conditions. The control device adjusts the torque reduction strategy based on real-time engine rotational speed and reducing agent remaining amount, transitioning from a static torque reduction approach to a dynamic one that adapts to varying work and travel states, thereby preventing both purification failure and engine stall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the engine output is reduced to maintain exhaust gas purification when reducing agent is depleted, then nitrogen oxide reduction is maintained, but the hydraulic pump output becomes insufficient and work performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenitrogen oxide reductionVSAvoidwork performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of engine output torque based on the relationship between engine rotational speed and reducing agent remaining amount. At high engine speeds where exhaust purification is critical, torque is reduced. At low engine speeds where work performance is more sensitive, torque is maintained. This selective parameter adjustment maintains nitrogen oxide reduction while minimizing impact on hydraulic pump output and work performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by implementing different torque control strategies for different engine operating regions. High-speed regions prioritize exhaust purification with torque reduction, while low-speed regions prioritize work performance with torque maintenance. This localized control approach ensures that nitrogen oxide reduction is achieved when most effective while preserving work performance when most needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a fixed torque reduction strategy is applied when reducing agent is depleted, then exhaust gas purification is ensured, but the system cannot adapt to varying load conditions and operational states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas purificationVSAvoidadaptation to load conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms a static torque reduction strategy into a dynamic one by continuously monitoring engine rotational speed and reducing agent remaining amount. The control device adjusts the torque characteristic in real-time based on the detected parameters, enabling the system to adapt to varying load conditions and operational states while ensuring exhaust gas purification is maintained when reducing agent is depleted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by using the remaining amount detection device and rotational speed detection device to continuously monitor system state, and the control device adjusts engine output torque based on this feedback. This closed-loop control enables the system to adapt to varying conditions while maintaining exhaust purification, resolving the contradiction between fixed purification strategy and adaptability to load changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution effectively prevents engine stall by maintaining adequate engine output torque at low rotational speeds, allowing for continued operation and prompting the operator to replenish the reducing agent, thus ensuring reliable performance during varying work and travel states.

Implementation Method 1

an exhaust gas purification device that purifies nitrogen oxide in exhaust gas discharged from the engine using a reducing agent solution stored in a reducing agent tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelective catalyst reduction: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

purifies nitrogen oxide in exhaust gas discharged from the engine using a reducing agent solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentEP2857591B1Torque reduction of an internal combustion engine in case of low level of urea in a work vehicle with selective catalyst reduction
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP2857591B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2857591B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2857591B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A work vehicle includes: a hydraulic pump (11) driven by an engine (190); a rotational speed detection unit (13) that detects an actual rotational speed of the engine; an exhaust gas purification device (161) that purifies nitrogen oxide in exhaust gas discharged from the engine (190) using a reducing agent solution (urea) stored in a reducing agent tank (162); a remaining amount detection device (163) that detects a remaining amount of the reducing agent solution in the reducing agent tank (162); a torque control unit that decreases output torque of the engine (190) according to decrease of the detected remaining amount of the reducing agent solution; wherein when the actual rotational speed of the engine (190) is not more than a threshold value, the torque control unit does not decrease the output torque of the engine regardless of the detected remaining amount of the reducing agent solution.