Method for heating an exhaust gas aftertreatment component, and internal combustion engine

A method for heating an exhaust gas aftertreatment component in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber, wherein the combustion chamber is limited by a movable piston and has an intake port which is connected to an intake tract of the internal combustion engine and is closable by an intake valve, and has an exhaust port, which is connected to an exhaust system and is closable by an exhaust valve, wherein a fuel injector for injecting a fuel into the combustion chamber is arranged on the combustion chamber, and with a spark plug, which is configured to ignite a flammable fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber, and with a valve lift curve switching mechanism, which allows for a shift and/or change of opening times of the exhaust valve, the method comprising:

• intake of fresh air into the combustion chamber;
• injection of the fuel into the combustion chamber;
• ignition of the flammable fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber when the piston is in a range of 10° KW to 30° KW after the upper ignition dead point;
• and
• opening of the exhaust valve when the piston is in a range of 55° KW to 95° KW after the upper ignition dead point,
• wherein an exhaust camshaft comprises a switchable cam contour, wherein a first switching position of the switchable cam contour is configured to carry out the method and a second switching position of the switchable cam contour is configured to realize a consumption-optimized normal operation of the combustion engine, and
• wherein the first switching position causes a longer opening time of the exhaust valve than the second switching position.