DE102016216492A1 - Method and device for heating a component of an exhaust gas train of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A method (400) of heating a component (110) of an exhaust line (160) of a vehicle (200). The component (110) is operatively connected to an electric heater (120) for heating or comprises an electric heater (120). The method comprises the steps of: determining (410) sensor data and activating (420) the electrical heater (120) as a function of the sensor data determined.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for heating a component of an exhaust system of a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program and a machine-readable storage medium, as well as a drive train with a corresponding device and a vehicle with a drive train.

State of the art

To drive the vehicle, hybrid vehicles are equipped with at least two different drive units. The vehicle can be driven by at least one of the individual drive units alone as well as two or more drive units together. A first drive unit of a hybrid vehicle is, for example, an internal combustion engine which requires fuel, for example gasoline or diesel, for operation. As a second drive unit, an electric machine can be used. This is supplied for operation with electrical energy, for example from a high-voltage battery. There are hybrid vehicles where the engine power is greater than the electromotive power. In other hybrid vehicles, the electric power is greater than the engine power. With advances in battery cell technology development, battery performance and capacity are increasing. This also increases the performance and range of electric drives in hybrid vehicles. Usually, the batteries of the hybrid vehicles are charged with a generator driven by the internal combustion engine. In addition, plug-in hybrid vehicles have a socket that charges the batteries externally when the vehicle is at a standstill, for example via a charging station. These vehicles have extra-large capacity batteries. Accordingly, these vehicles usually have a particularly powerful electric drive with a large electrical range. A locally emission-free operation of motor vehicles is therefore possible over long distances. The rarer the internal combustion engines are needed to drive the vehicle, the more challenging is the low-emission operation of internal combustion engines. During operation of the internal combustion engine, exhaust gases or pollutants are produced, which are converted or filtered in the exhaust gas system of the vehicle. This conversion and filtering achieve their optimum efficiency at a high operating temperature compared to the ambient temperature. In conventional, pure combustion engine operated, vehicles heated after the start of the engine, the exhaust system due to the hot exhaust gases of the engine. If the internal combustion engine is only operated for a short time in hybrid vehicles, the operating time is insufficient for warming up the exhaust gas line. Therefore, relatively large amounts of unfiltered and unconverted exhaust gases are expelled. Consequently, there is a need for methods and apparatus for avoiding cold exhaust lines in hybrid vehicles.

Disclosure of the invention

A method for heating a component of an exhaust gas system of a vehicle is provided. The component itself is operatively connected to the heating with an electric heater or the component comprises for heating an electric heater. The method comprises the steps: determination of sensor data. And activate the electric heater depending on the determined sensor data.

For heating a component of an exhaust system of a vehicle, the component is operatively connected to an electric heater. The electric heater or a cooling medium of the heater is arranged or arranged such that the component absorbs the heat of the electric heater. By means of the electric heater, the component can be heated to a predeterminable operating temperature. The temperature is set so that the component works as intended or at its best efficiency. A component of an exhaust system of a vehicle is a component or a subsection of the exhaust system through which, or past, the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine is led to escape to the ambient air. Thus, a component of an exhaust line may include a portion of the pipe system, a filter element of the exhaust line, a transducer element in which exhaust constituents are chemically converted, for example, or an associated sensor or actuator device necessary for exhaust aftertreatment. This component can be heated with an electric heater, so operatively connected or even includes an electric heater, so that the component can be heated by means of electrical energy. In addition to the internal combustion engine drive increasingly dominant electric drive in hybrid vehicles with large electrical battery power sufficient capacity and power is available for such heating. This allows depending on the design of the heater from the operating point of the entire powertrain independent very rapid heating of a component - especially in comparison to the heating by means of the exhaust gases of the engine, which depends very much on the current operating point of the internal combustion engine. As part of the procedure, sensor data are determined. Depending on the detection of the Sensor data, the electric heater is activated to heat a component. This leads to an effective and efficient heating of the component of an exhaust line. Advantageously, a method for heating a component of an exhaust gas line is provided.

In another embodiment of the invention, the component is configured as a catalytic converter, a lambda probe or an exhaust gas guide tube.

The component is, for example, a catalyst by means of which the exhaust gas composition is chemically converted into more environmentally friendly compositions upon reaching the operating temperature of the catalyst. The component may also be a lambda probe, which is used to determine the ratio of combustion air to fuel of the exhaust gas in the exhaust line. Lambda probes operate as intended when their temperature is approximately 650ºC. For the lambda probe to reach this temperature quickly, it can be operatively connected as a component to an electric heater. Also, an exhaust pipe, for example, the portion between the manifold and the catalyst can be operatively connected as a component with an electric heater. Thus, the condensation of the exhaust gas and droplet formation on the cold exhaust pipe can be avoided. A faster start of the operation of downstream exhaust aftertreatment is made possible because these partially, for example, the lambda probe, due to droplet formation (water hammer) can be damaged. Advantageously, possibilities are provided which enable a faster start of the operation of the exhaust aftertreatment systems.

In another embodiment of the invention, the determination of the sensor data, the determination of a size that characterizes the speed of the vehicle or the torque request of the vehicle or the driver.

In hybrid vehicles, the internal combustion engine is switched to the purely electrical operation, if the power of the electric drive alone is no longer sufficient. This is the case if the vehicle has reached a predefinable speed and is further accelerated, or if the acceleration or the requested torque of the vehicle has reached a predefinable value and is further increased. It therefore makes sense to use a sensor or a sensor system to determine values which characterize the speed, the acceleration or the requested torque. Depending on these determined values, the heater is activated to heat the component of the drive train. Advantageously, heating of a component in the exhaust gas line is provided with the start, or even before starting, of the internal combustion engine.

In another embodiment of the invention, the determination of the sensor data includes the determination of a variable that characterizes the temperature of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle, or a temperature in the exhaust system of the vehicle or a battery, in particular high-voltage battery or traction battery of the vehicle.

It is advisable to activate the heating of the component as a function of the temperature of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle or a temperature in the exhaust system. If the mentioned temperatures are already within the range of the ideal operating temperatures of the components, the activation of the electric heating can be omitted or terminated. Also, a control of the activation of the heater as a function of the temperature of a battery, in particular a high-voltage battery, which serves to drive the vehicle, allows avoiding the overload of the high-voltage battery. If this is already too heavily loaded due to the electric driving and already heated is to refrain from another burden by means of activation of the heater. If such a battery is too cold, it should also not be too heavily loaded. Therefore, a high heating capacity should be avoided if the battery is too cold. Advantageously, sensor data are provided as a function of which activation of the heating is carried out.

In another embodiment of the invention, the determination of the sensor data includes the determination of a variable characterizing the state of charge of a battery of the vehicle.

If the state of charge of the battery, in particular high-voltage battery for driving the vehicle, is too low, should be dispensed with a powerful heating of the components in the drive train to avoid overloading the battery. If the state of charge is sufficiently high, the heater may be activated to heat a component of the exhaust line. Advantageously, further parameters are provided depending on which the activation of the heating for heating the drive train takes place.

In another embodiment of the invention, the activation takes place the electric heater depending on the determined sensor data, if the determined sensor data are greater or smaller than the predetermined first limit, or within or outside a predetermined first range of values.

In accordance with the parameters already described above, for example, the activation of the electrical heating takes place as a function of the determined sensor data, depending on whether the determined values are greater or smaller than a predefinable first limit value or whether these values lie within or outside a predefinable first value range. An example of a range of values could be, for example, the temperature of the battery, which, as indicated above, should neither be too cold, in particular minus values nor too hot, in particular values above 200 ° C., for example. The value of this limit value or the limits of the range of values is applied application-specifically in particular as a function of the vehicle mass, the air resistance of the vehicle, the gear ratio and / or the power or the torque of the electric motor. Advantageously, methods for controlling the activation of the electric heater are provided.

In another embodiment of the invention, the activation of the electric heater takes place simultaneously with the start of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle as a function of the determined sensor data.

Since a functioning exhaust aftertreatment is necessary only during operation of the internal combustion engine, the electric heater is made in accordance with the detected sensor data simultaneously with the start of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. In this case, as a sensor data, for example, a signal to understand, which tells the start of the engine and triggers the activation of the electric heater. Advantageously, a further parameter for controlling the activation of the electric heater is provided.

In another embodiment of the invention, the determination of the sensor data comprises the determination of navigation data of a navigation device.

In vehicles with navigation devices, data are available that provide information about the current position, orientation, speed, acceleration and expected route of the vehicle. Advantageously, further parameters are provided which are used to control the activation of the electric heater.

In another embodiment of the invention, the determination of navigation data includes the determination of a variable that characterizes a slope of a route, a road type of a route or a speed limit of a route.

The determination of navigation data includes the determination of a gradient, a road type or a speed limit of a route, which is currently being driven or whose traffic is imminent. Depending on this data, a high power requirement of the entire drive of the hybrid vehicle can be inferred in the event of a steep incline, a motorway journey or a route without speed limit, and consequently an imminent start of the internal combustion engine. In this case, the electric heater should be activated to heat the components of the exhaust line to be heated in good time before the operation of the internal combustion engine. Thus, a proper exhaust aftertreatment is made possible. When determining a low slope, an inner-city road, or a speed limit to a low speed to close on low power consumption of the entire drive of the hybrid vehicle and thus to refrain from activation of the electric heater, since an imminent start of the engine is not foreseeable , Advantageously, certain data of a navigation device, which are used in the regulation of the activation of the electric heater, provided.

In another embodiment of the invention, the activation of the electric heater is carried out as a function of the determined navigation data, if the determined navigation data are greater or smaller than a second predeterminable limit value or are within or outside a second predefinable value range.

In accordance with the parameters already described above, for example, the activation of the electrical heating takes place as a function of the ascertained navigation data, depending on whether the determined values are greater or smaller than a prescribable second limit value or whether these values lie within or outside a predefinable second value range. An example of a range of values could be, for example, the area around a city center, within which heating of the component can be prevented, since a start of the internal combustion engine is not to be expected. The value of this limit value or the limits of the range of values is applied application-specifically in particular as a function of the vehicle mass, the air resistance of the vehicle, the gear ratio and / or the power or the torque of the electric motor. Advantageously, methods for controlling the activation of the electric heater are provided.

In another embodiment of the invention, the activation of the electrical heating takes place as a function of the ascertained navigation data as a function of a prediction of the start of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. Activating the Heating takes place in such a timely manner before the start of the internal combustion engine, so that the component for starting the internal combustion engine has already reached the operating temperature or approximately the operating temperature.

Based on the determined navigation data, in particular on the basis of the navigation data relating to a future route to be traveled, an estimation or prediction of the starting time of the internal combustion engine, as shown above, for example, is possible. Therefore, the activation of the electric heater in dependence on the navigation data also includes the activation as a function of a signal provided in the vehicle, which provides the start time of the internal combustion engine in advance. The activation of the heating is then such time before the start or the start time of the internal combustion engine, so that the component has already heated and already, in particular approximately, has reached the operating temperature. Advantageously, a method is provided which allows heating of a component in the exhaust system of the vehicle before the start of the internal combustion engine.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program that is configured to carry out the methods described so far.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program described is stored.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a device for heating a component of an exhaust system of a vehicle. The component is operatively connected to an electrical heater for heating or comprises an electric heater. The device comprises a logic device which is set up to determine sensor data and to activate the electric heater as a function of the sensor data determined.

A device is provided for heating a component of an exhaust gas system of a vehicle. The device comprises a logic device for this purpose. The logic device determines sensor data. Furthermore, the logic device activates or controls an electric heater as a function of the determined sensor data. With the electric heater, the component to be heated is operatively connected. By means of the electric heater, the component can be heated to a predeterminable operating temperature. The temperature is set so that the component works as intended or at its best efficiency. The component of an exhaust system of a vehicle is a component or a subsection of the exhaust system through which, or past, the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine is guided until it exits to the ambient air. Thus, an effective targeted heating of the component of the exhaust system is made possible. Advantageously, a device for heating a component of an exhaust gas line is provided.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a drive train with a described device. Such a drive train is used, for example, the drive of a hybrid vehicle. It comprises the device and in particular an electrical energy source, a battery or a fuel cell, a DCDC converter, a pulse inverter, an electrical machine that can be connected thereto, an internal combustion engine and / or an exhaust gas system. By means of the method and the device a low-emission operation of the drive train is made possible.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a vehicle with a described drive train. Advantageously, a vehicle is provided, which includes a device with which the exhaust aftertreatment can be optimized.

It is understood that the features, properties and advantages of the method according to the invention corresponding to the device or the drive train and the vehicle and vice versa apply or are applicable.

Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to some figures, in which:

1 A schematically illustrated vehicle and drive train and a device for heating a component of an exhaust line.

2 A schematically illustrated method for heating a component of an exhaust system of a vehicle.

Embodiments of the invention

The 1 shows a schematically illustrated vehicle 200 with four wheels 170 , The vehicle 200 is exemplified here with four wheels, but it can also be a two-wheeled or mehrrädriges vehicle or other vehicle on land, water or in the air with a hybrid drive train. The powertrain 300 includes a device 130 and in particular the electric powertrain, which is the battery 180 , in particular a high-voltage battery or a traction battery for driving the vehicle, and the electrical machine shown schematically connected thereto 190 includes. Next includes the powertrain 300 in particular the internal combustion engine part with the internal combustion engine 150 and the connected exhaust system 160 , The exhaust system 160 of the vehicle 200 is the component 110 assigned. This component is located in the exhaust system 160 or at the exhaust system 160 or is a portion of the exhaust line 160 or is part of an exhaust aftertreatment system. The component 110 is active with the electric heater 120 or includes an electric heater 120 or includes one in the component 110 integrated electric heating 120 , The electric heater 120 is with a device 130 , which includes a logic device connected. By means of this the heating is controlled, ie activated and deactivated. If necessary, the heating power of the heater 120 regulated by means of the logic device. The logic device controls the heating 120 depending on sensor data by means of a sensor system 140 be detected and, for example, wired or wireless to the logic device 130 be transmitted. Alternatively or additionally, a navigation device 145 intended. The navigation device 145 is configured to transmit navigation data to the logic device, such as wireless or wired. Depending on the received data, the logic device activates the electric heater 120 for heating the component of the drive train 300 of the vehicle 200 ,

The 2 schematically shows a method 400 to heat a component 110 an exhaust line 160 of a vehicle 200 , With step 405 the procedure begins. In step 410 Sensor data are determined. After a comparison in step 415 The sensor data with predefinable limit values or ranges of values, depending on the comparison, either the sensor data determination in step 410 continued or in step 420 an electric heater 120 for heating the component 110 activated. With step 495 the procedure ends.

Claims (16)

Procedure ( 400 ) for heating a component ( 110 ) of an exhaust gas line ( 160 ) of a vehicle ( 200 ); where the component ( 110 ) for heating with an electric heater ( 120 ) is operatively connected or an electric heater ( 120 ); with the steps: Determination ( 410 ) of sensor data; Activate ( 420 ) of the electric heater ( 120 ) as a function of the determined sensor data. The method of claim 1, wherein the component ( 110 ) is configured as a catalyst, a lambda probe or an exhaust pipe. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the determination of the sensor data, the determination of a speed of the vehicle ( 200 ) or the torque request of the vehicle ( 200 ) characterizing size. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the determination of the sensor data, the determination of a temperature of the internal combustion engine ( 150 ) of the vehicle ( 200 ) or a temperature in the exhaust gas line ( 160 ) of the vehicle or a battery ( 180 ) of the vehicle ( 200 ) characterizing size. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the determination of the sensor data, the determination of a state of charge of a battery ( 180 ) of the vehicle ( 200 ) characterizing size. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein activating the electric heater ( 120 ) as a function of the determined sensor data, if the determined sensor data are larger or smaller than a predeterminable first limit value or lie within or outside a predefinable first value range. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein activating ( 420 ) of the electric heater ( 120 ) in dependence of the determined sensor data simultaneously with the start of the internal combustion engine ( 150 ) of the vehicle ( 200 ) he follows. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the determination of the sensor data comprises the determination of navigation data of a navigation device ( 145 ). Method according to claim 8, wherein the determination ( 410 ) comprises of navigation data, the determination of a slope of a route or a road type of a route or a speed limit of a route characterizing size. Method according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 9, wherein activating ( 420 ) of the electric heater ( 120 ) as a function of the determined navigation data, if the determined navigation data are greater or smaller than a second predeterminable limit value or lie within or outside a second predefinable value range. Method according to one of the preceding claims 8-10, wherein activating ( 420 ) of the electric heater ( 120 ) as a function of the determined navigation data as a function of a prediction of the start of the internal combustion engine ( 150 ) of the vehicle and activating ( 420 ) of the heater ( 120 ) such time before the start of the internal combustion engine ( 150 ), so that the component ( 110 ) to the start of the internal combustion engine ( 150 ) has already reached approximately the operating temperature, in particular has reached the operating temperature. Computer program that is set up the procedure ( 400 ) according to any one of claims 1-11. A machine readable storage medium storing the computer program of claim 12. Contraption ( 130 ) for heating a component ( 110 ) of an exhaust gas line ( 160 ) of a vehicle ( 200 ); where the component ( 110 ) for heating with an electric heater ( 120 ) is operatively connected or an electric heater ( 120 ); the device comprising a logic device adapted to detect sensor data, and the electric heater ( 120 ) as a function of the determined sensor data. Powertrain ( 300 ) with a device ( 130 ) according to claim 14. Vehicle ( 200 ) with a drive train ( 300 ) according to claim 15.

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