The critical situation with the environment and the constant rise in fuel prices are forcing transport manufacturers to look for new solutions. Internal combustion engines (ICE) are improved, modified and “mixed” with electric motors. Why this is done, how a hybrid engine works, we will consider in today's publication.
The idea of connecting two units (an internal combustion engine and an electric motor) cannot be called new. In 1897, the French company Parisienne des Voitures Electrics began production of cars with hybrid engines, and a little later, the American General Electric released the first hybrid with a four-cylinder gasoline engine. But then such an innovation turned out to be economically inexpedient. Fuel was cheap, and the power of the hybrid car was inferior to that of traditional models. But times have changed. Fuel prices are rising, the environment is deteriorating. Cars with mixed powertrains became relevant and began to gain popularity.
In simple words about complex
What is a hybrid engine? A hybrid engine is a system consisting of two interconnected units: electric and gasoline. They can work both separately and simultaneously. This system is controlled by the vehicle's on-board computer. He decides, depending on the driving mode, which type of power unit needs to be activated at a particular moment in time.
For urban driving, when the engine is not required to generate high power, an electric motor is used. While driving on country roads, the computer turns off the electric motor and activates the fuel unit.
In a mixed driving mode, when the car's engine is running under load with periodic accelerations and stops, the two units work in tandem. Moreover, during the operation of the fuel engine, the electric one is charging. deserve special attention.
Saving energy in hybrid engines
It is known that a huge amount of energy is expended on the movement of a car. In this regard, a natural question arises: how can an electric motor, even under conditions of low loads, work for a long time without an additional trailer with batteries. To understand the principle of operation of the car's electric motor, you need to trace the whole process from the start of movement to the stop.
When the car starts or moves at low speeds, all the work is carried out by an electric motor, which is powered by a battery. Further, his task is to accelerate the car to the maximum possible speed for the electric motor. After that, the computer gives a command to turn on the fuel engine. At the same time, the internal combustion engine gives part of the energy to the generator, which replaces the battery and continues to feed the electric motor instead of it, simultaneously charging the battery. The car at the same time works on two power units at the same time.
When driving at an average speed, the electric motor is turned off, only the internal combustion engine is running, replenishing the battery energy supply. With an increase in the load on the internal combustion engine, an electric motor comes to the rescue again. But electricity is replenished not only due to the operation of the internal combustion engine. The brake mechanism of a car with a hybrid engine is designed in such a way that the energy generated during braking is converted into electrical energy and also goes to power the electric motor. Such braking is called "regenerative".
The algorithm of work considered above describes the general picture of the operation of a hybrid power unit of a car. To date, there are three types of such motors: serial, parallel and mixed. 
Series hybrid circuit
The principle of operation of such a scheme can be considered the simplest of hybrids. The internal combustion engine in this type is an auxiliary element and is designed to operate a generator. The generator, receiving energy from the internal combustion engine, converts it into electrical energy and feeds the electric motor, which sets the car in motion.
Such a scheme, as a rule, is used in low-power cars (compact cars). But the battery used has a large capacity, with the ability to charge from a conventional power outlet. The large capacity of the battery allows you to minimize the use of internal combustion engines, that is, the car can move on an electric motor that is powered only by the battery. Chevrolet Volt is one of the car models that uses a series hybrid scheme.
Hybrid car parallel circuit
The principle of operation of the parallel circuit is that the internal combustion engine and the electric motor are installed in such a way that it becomes possible to use them both together and separately. But still, the main function of the electric motor in such a scheme is to create additional power of the internal combustion engine during acceleration. Besides the electric motor carries out functions of a starter and the generator. Batteries with this scheme do not require additional recharging, they have enough energy generated during movement.
Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, BMW Active Hybrid 7, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid are models with a parallel hybrid engine.
Series-parallel hybrid circuit
In this scheme, the internal combustion engine and the electric motor are interconnected by a planetary gearbox, with the help of which the power from both engines is transmitted to the drive wheels.
The mixed circuit differs from the parallel circuit in the presence of a generator that creates energy for the electric motor.
Toyota Prius, Lexus RX 450h, Ford Escape Hybrid are full hybrids.
Advantages of hybrid engines
- The main advantage of hybrids is its economy. The minimum fuel saving is 20%, which is quite a tangible advantage in the face of rising prices.
- Sharing two engines reduces CO2 emissions.
- Excellent running characteristics, which are achieved thanks to the rational accumulation and subsequent redistribution of the power generated jointly by the two engines.
- Compared to a conventional car, the hybrid has a significant range, meaning it can keep going even with an empty tank.
- The characteristics of hybrid engines are completely identical to traditional models with internal combustion engines, contrary to prevailing stereotypes, and taking into account other advantages, sometimes even surpass them.
- Electric motors are almost silent, which adds comfort during vehicle operation.
- Compared to an electric vehicle, the battery of a hybrid is charged by a fuel-powered engine, which increases its range.
- Refueling the car is carried out with the same gasoline as traditional cars.
Disadvantages of hybrids
- The high cost of the car.
- Car maintenance is expensive. It is unlikely that it will be possible to repair such a machine on your own, and it is very difficult to find qualified craftsmen. There will also be problems with components.
- Changes in climatic temperatures have a bad effect on the battery and lead to their self-discharge.
Externally, cars with hybrid powertrains do not differ from classic gasoline counterparts. Of course, if models of cars with hybrid engines had the same cost as analogues with internal combustion engines, and maintenance did not cause difficulties, hardly anyone would refuse such a car. But at the moment, the reality is that the difference in the price of a hybrid and an analogue is an average of $ 4,000. Even if we take into account all the advantages of such machines, including fuel economy, the difference will still be disproportionate. If there are no breakdowns, and the mileage is significant, the car will pay off at best in five years. This state of affairs does not inspire optimism. But as they say: "How many people - so many opinions", so the choice always remains with a particular person.
Why did we touch this issue on our portal? And why do we want to educate you about the operation of hybrid engines? Everything is extremely simple and clear. The fact is that many areas of our life are literally permeated with the interaction of all kinds of technologies, which in their symbiosis give rise to much more effective methods, gadgets and mechanisms. And of course, they did not dare to put aside the engines for our four-wheeled pets. And it is precisely about such units, their positive and negative sides, about how they work that we will talk in this topic. In the meantime, let's take a little digression into history. Go!
A bit of history
Cars with hybrid "hearts" - the invention is far from new, as it might seem at first glance. The pioneer and embodiment of the idea of a hybrid engine was a Jesuit clergyman named Ferdinand Verbiest. In 1665 he began working on plans for simple four-wheeled wagons powered by steam and horses. But the first production models with hybrid engines saw the light already at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. For ten years, starting in 1887, the French Compagnie Parisienne des Voitures Electrics released a series of cars with hybrid engines. And in 1900, the General Electric company created a hybrid car with a four-cylinder gasoline engine. The Walker Vehicle Company of Chicago produced hybrid trucks until 1940.
Of course, at that time the production of such cars was limited to small batches and the creation of various kinds of prototypes. However, in our time, an acute shortage of oil resources and an ever-growing economic crisis have prompted automotive designers and developers to return to their roots and resume production of cars with hybrid engines.
How a hybrid engine works - in simple words about new technologies
Well, now is the time to figure out what kind of unit a hybrid engine is and why so zealously began to produce cars with such hearts? A hybrid engine is a system of two interconnected engines: gasoline and electric. Two engines can work both in conjunction and separately, it all depends on which mode of operation is used at the moment. The process of redistribution of "powers" is controlled by a powerful computer, which at one time or another decides which of the engines should now work. To move in the suburban mode, the fuel engine takes over all the work, because the battery does not last long on the highway. To move around the city, the electric motor is turned on.
If the car is subjected to heavy loads or it has to accelerate frequently and quite intensively, then both engines are already working together. An interesting fact is that while the car is moving on a fuel engine, the electric one is charging at this time. A car with a hybrid engine emits 90% less substances into the atmosphere than the fuel engines we are used to, and this despite the fact that it also includes a gasoline unit. Also, the consumption of gasoline in the city can be reduced to zero, which, of course, cannot be said about country trips.
Let's take a look at how a hybrid car pulls away. At the very beginning of the movement and at low speeds, only the battery and the electric motor work. The energy that is stored in the battery feeds the energy center, which then distributes it to the electric motors, which already start the car silently and very smoothly. After the maximum speed for the electric motor is reached, the gasoline unit is also connected. Torque to the drive wheels already comes from two engines overnight. In the process of such work, the internal combustion engine gives part of the generated energy to the generator, which further feeds the electric motors, unloading the battery, while the excess energy is transferred to the battery, replenishing it, lost at the start of the movement, the reserve.
If the car is moving in normal mode, then only the front-wheel drive is used automatically, in other cases, the distribution of torque is already supplied to two axles. In acceleration mode, the torque to the wheels comes mainly from the internal combustion engine, and if it is necessary to increase the dynamics, then electric motors are already used to complement the internal combustion engine. But the more interesting point is still braking. The electronic "brain" of the car controls the on and off when it is worth connecting the hydraulics, and when the regenerative braking, but the preference is still given to the second. That is, when the driver of a hybrid vehicle presses the brake pedal, the electric motors go into generator operating mode, thereby creating a braking torque on the wheels, which also generates electricity, which feeds the battery through the power distribution center. This is where the whole essence of the "zest" of the hybrid engine is hidden.
In the classics familiar to us, the energy released during braking is wasted, simply lost in space as heat from brake discs and other parts. The use of brake energy is very efficient in urban areas where frequent braking at traffic lights is a common thing. The VDIM system, which is the controlling vehicle dynamics, manages the operation of all vehicle active safety systems, combining them into a single "organism".
Perhaps the first successful instance equipped with a hybrid engine, released to the masses, has already become known Prius from company Toyota. This miracle car consumes only a little more than three liters of gasoline for every hundred kilometers in urban mode. Also, the Japanese company went further by releasing its luxury hybrid crossover Lexus RX400h. But the cost of this car is on average within 70,000 USD. Note that the first generation Toyota Prius was inferior to cars of the same class with internal combustion engines in terms of speed and power characteristics, in contrast to the Lexus RX400h, which initially competed well in its class.
After Toyota, the world's leading automotive concerns also did not disregard the use of hybrid engines, as they saw this as a solution to the global problem of environmental pollution and fuel economy. And so followed the announcement of the creation of hybrid trucks and transport vehicles from the Volvo Group. According to their calculations, the release of these products will reduce fuel consumption by as much as 35% over time.
But with all the greatest desire and calculations of automobile concerns, cars with hybrid engines have not yet been snapped up all over the world like hot cakes. The popularity of hybrid cars is gaining momentum only in Canada and the States. Demand for hybrids among the American population has grown due to a sharp rise in the price of fuel, which was mercilessly fired before. After all, the American auto industry has always been famous for its "muscle cars" with incredibly powerful engines and huge consumption of flammable liquids. European car enthusiasts generally reacted neutrally to cars with hybrid engines. A fairly environmentally friendly and more economical, trustworthy veteran, a diesel, runs there.
Most of the cars in Europe are refueled with diesel, which cannot be said about the USA. Moreover, cars with diesel engines are much cheaper than hybrid ones, moreover, they are simpler and more reliable in their design. After all, everyone knows such a postulate: "the more complex the system is designed, the less its reliability." It is this factor that determines the number of hybrid cars in our country. Officially, such cars are not delivered to us, and the problem of service stations is simply inevitable in the event of a breakdown. There are simply no specialized service stations for the repair of hybrid engines in our country. And on our own, we think that hardly anyone will undertake to repair such a device.
Hybrid engine device - circuit description
So, we briefly reviewed what a hybrid engine is and why its use is not as widespread in the world as we would like. Now I would like to "dig" deeper and consider the scheme of its structure. But there are three of them. We propose to start with the simplest scheme, which causes us the least interest - this is a sequential hybrid engine.
Series diagram of a hybrid engine
In this scheme, the start of the car comes from an electric motor. The internal combustion engine is in conjunction with a generator that feeds the battery. Hybrid vehicles with a sequential powertrain scheme (Plug-inHybrid) are often produced with the ability to connect to the electrical network at the end of the trip. The presence of this function implies the use of batteries with high energy intensity, which significantly reduces fuel costs for the use of an internal combustion engine, which in turn reduces the amount of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. These cars include Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera. They are also called electric vehicles with a wide range. These cars can only run on battery power at a speed of 60 km / h and using the energy of a generator that drives a gasoline engine for as much as 500 kilometers.
Hybrid car parallel circuit
With this scheme, an internal combustion engine and an electric motor connected in parallel are installed in such a way that they can work either separately from each other or together. This effect is achieved due to the design of the unit, in which the gasoline engine, electric motor and transmission are connected by automatically controlled clutches. A car with such a hybrid engine scheme uses a small electric motor, about 20 kW. Its main task is to add power to the internal combustion engine during vehicle acceleration.
Most of these structures the electric motor is installed between the internal combustion engine and It also performs the functions of a generator and a starter. The most famous representatives among cars with a sequential hybrid engine are the BMW Active Hybrid 7, Honda Insight, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid. This scheme appeared due to the initiative of Honda with its Integrated Motor Assist - IMA system. The operation of this system can be divided into several characteristic modes:
- work from the electric motor;
Joint operation of the electric motor and internal combustion engine;
Operation from an internal combustion engine with parallel charging of the battery using an electric motor that acts as a generator;
Charging the battery during regenerative braking.
Series-parallel hybrid circuit
In this scheme, the electric motor and the internal combustion engine are connected using a planetary gearbox. This allows you to simultaneously transfer power from each of the motors to the drive wheels in a ratio of 0 to 100% of the rated power. The series-parallel circuit differs from the previous one in that a generator is installed on the first one, which creates energy for the operation of the electric motor.
Well-known representatives of cars with such a hybrid engine scheme are Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid, Lexus RX 450h. In this segment of the "hybrid" market, Toyota is leading with its Hybrid Synergy Drive - HSD system. The power unit of the Hybrid Synergy Drive system is presented as follows:
- ICE communicates with the planetary gearbox;
An electric motor that is attached to the ring gear of the planetary gearbox;
The sun gear of the planetary gear is connected to the generator.
The internal combustion engine operates on the Atkinson cycle, which means it produces little power at low revs, resulting in better fuel economy and less exhaust emissions.
Hybrid car - pros and cons
Advantages of hybrid engines
1. The most important advantage of hybrid vehicles is their efficiency. The fuel consumption of such cars is 25% less than that of classic cars with an internal combustion engine. And in our situation with constantly rising gasoline prices, this is a very important factor.
2.
The next no less important point The next most important point among the positive aspects of hybrid engines is environmental friendliness. Hybrid cars cause much less damage to our environment than classic ones. This is achieved through more rational fuel consumption. And when the car comes to a complete stop, the internal combustion engine stops working, transferring the reins of power to the electric motor. Therefore, during the stops of the hybrid car, the atmosphere is not polluted by CO2 emissions.
3. The batteries of hybrid engines are recharged by a gasoline engine, which is not the case with electric vehicles, which makes the range of a fuel-powered engine much longer. And it can go longer without refueling.
4. Modern hybrid cars are in no way inferior to a similar class of traditional ones in all the main characteristics. So let's dispel this myth, which many people most likely believe.
5. In urban, stop-and-go environments, hybrid vehicles perform like electric vehicles.
6. When standing still, a hybrid vehicle is completely silent as it runs on the electric motor only.
7. The hybrid is refueled with gasoline and in the same way as a traditional car.
Cons of hybrid cars
There is nothing perfect in the world, which means that hybrid engines also have their disadvantages.
1.
And the main disadvantage is expensive repairs. Since the design of such engines is very complex, it is very difficult to find a specialist who will deal with the elimination of problems. This explains the high cost of maintaining hybrids.
2. Batteries installed in hybrids are subject to self-discharge. They also do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. And their service life is very limited. But so far, we have not yet figured out what kind of impact batteries have on the environment, which is why recycling them is a problematic task.
It is obvious, of course, that hybrid engines have more pluses than minuses, but in our country they have not taken root yet. The first reason for this is the price. The cost in Ukraine of the popular Toyota Prius is from 850,000 hryvnia. But he is not only the most-most in his popularity, but also the cheapest. Also in Russia, it was planned to launch the production of a hybrid called Yo-mobile, but the project was curtailed. To date, the most powerful hybrid vehicle is the BMW ActiveHybrid X6.
The fight for the environment in our time is in full swing and very zealously, in connection with which motorists are encouraged to purchase cars with hybrid engines. So in America, the owners of such cars are provided with certain benefits and free parking spaces. Similar laws are also planned to be introduced in our country, in particular, duties on the import of cars with hybrid engines will be reduced. Gasoline engines are already gradually receding into the background, losing their positions. And hybrid engines are one of the main steps being taken for this. But as long as the price category of these cars remains at the same level, the demand for them will be small.
About prices for cars with hybrid engines
Like everything new, unusual and interesting, cars with hybrid engines are more expensive than their classic counterparts. Today, hybrid cars are much more expensive than cars with similar characteristics, but with gasoline engines. For example, the hybrid Toyota Camry is almost $7,000 more expensive than its petrol counterpart. The hybrid Honda Civic has increased by $4,000 over its traditional model. The Lexus GS 450h is a wonderfully dynamic (from 0 to 60 in just 5.9 seconds) car, which is also much more economical than similarly powerful sedans with eight-cylinder engines. The fuel consumption of this car is approximately 8 liters per 100 kilometers on a combined cycle. The average retail price for this car in Ukraine will average around $80,000.
On the topic of introducing hybrid cars, of course, you can argue for a long time and take certain positions and defend your points of view, but one thing is clear - the future is not far off and soon this leap will be made. Changes in the automotive industry are coming grandiose! And we hope this will be what we all need.
Exactly like the old car. It turns out that the fourth generation hybrid is the result of a deep restyling?
It wasn't there! The fourth Prius is brand new. It is based on the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) modular architecture, on which most of the company's models will be based in the foreseeable future. The share of high-strength steels in the body structure has increased from 3 to 19%, the torsional rigidity of the body has increased by 60% - this is with a curb weight reduced by 50 kg. Instead of a rear beam, the hybrid received an independent suspension, and the traction battery moved from the trunk under the seat. In fact, the former in the new Prius is only an internal combustion engine, and even that was noticeably improved. The Japanese managed to reduce friction losses and increase resistance to detonation. The thermodynamic efficiency of this engine is 40% - a record figure in the entire industry.
Claimed consumption in the region of 3 liters per 100 km - right? And why do the passport values of urban and suburban cycles practically do not differ?
Three liters per hundred, of course, is cunning. At least, . The best result was 3.9 l / 100 km during the haul from Moscow to Dmitrov with an average speed of 55 km / h. The most "terrifying" values on the screen of the trip computer were 5.5 l / 100 km - however, to achieve such a result on the Prius, you need to ruthlessly "bludgeon". Under normal conditions, the consumption in the urban and suburban cycles is really almost identical and is about 4.3-4.5 liters per hundred. Thanks to the regenerative braking system, which works surprisingly efficiently in the city.
Is it possible to pay off the "hybridity" of the Prius due to low fuel consumption?
Let's figure it out together. As a starting point, let's take a 122-horsepower 1.6-liter engine in the maximum configuration of the Prestige. Such a car costs 1,329,000 rubles and, in terms of consumer qualities, is as close as possible to the Prius (the same wheelbase and space in the back seat, the same power, a similar level of finish and equipment). The declared city consumption of a 1.6-liter Corolla in the city is 8.2 l / 100 km. On the highway - 5.3 l / 100 km. Of course, in reality, these values will be higher than stated. So let's take 9 l / 100 km as an average consumption, assuming that our hypothetical owner operates the car mainly in the city (recall, Prius consumption does not depend too much on the cycle and averages 4.5 l / 100 km). Thus, with an annual mileage of 25,000 km, the savings will be 1,125 liters, or 45,000 rubles (we equate one liter of AI-95 to 40 rubles). To compensate for the difference in price between the Corolla (1,329,000 rubles) and the Prius (2,112,000 rubles), it will take more than 17 years. Therefore, buying a hybrid in order to save money is utopian.
Then what's the point of it? What qualities can be written without a shadow of a doubt in the asset of the Prius?
The combination of handling and ride is commendable. The Prius handles even the toughest road imperfections perfectly and remains absolutely alive and fun to drive. Small rolls, rich feedback on the steering wheel. The Prius is also really quiet: you can’t hear the engine at all (unless you want to turn it into a cut-off), and the noise from the road penetrates the cabin only when driving on abrasive asphalt. Add a pleasant, well-finished interior. Plus, some will probably write down a flashy outrageous appearance as an asset to the “Japanese”.
Fine. But what about the obvious cons?
And here, many will also write down the appearance. After the price of more than two million rubles, this is perhaps the next deterrent. In addition, the Prius has a small trunk (only 276 liters according to our measurements). And if we talk about driving properties, the brakes are frustrating. An electric motor can unceremoniously intervene in the braking process at any moment, so that the effort on the pedals “walks”. More recently, I had a chance to experience, which is devoid of such a feature. So, the father of all hybrids has something to strive for. Hybridity as such is no excuse.
What are the prospects for the fourth generation Prius in Russia?
I will be extremely careful in forecasts, but I have no doubt that the fourth Prius will become more popular than its predecessor. The fact is that for the whole of 2016 in Russia, only 16 third-generation hybrids were sold by official dealers. This is an absolute bottom, which the new product cannot break through. Believe it or not, I've even been lucky enough to see a fourth generation Prius on the road. Judging by the license plates, it belonged to a private individual, not to the Russian representative office of Toyota.
Description
The Prius has a gasoline engine and two electric motor generators, as well as a low-capacity 6.5 Ah battery (often referred to as a high-voltage battery, HVB). The electric motor can also work as a generator, converting kinetic energy into electricity and recharging the battery. In this case, electricity can be generated both due to the operation of the gasoline engine, and due to the braking of the car (regenerative braking system). Motors can work both separately and together. The gasoline engine is an Atkinson engine, such engines are economical, but have relatively low power. The operation of all engines is controlled by an on-board computer.
The Prius is easily recognizable by its streamlined shape. The drag coefficient is only 0.26. The conditioner works directly from the accumulator, irrespective of engines.
The cab is equipped with a touch screen display showing engine operation, battery capacity and other parameters. The display allows you to control the audio system and air conditioning, but not the car. The gears (forward, neutral, reverse, power gear) are switched not by the gearbox, but by the joystick located near the steering wheel and the button next to it (for parking). The "handbrake" is made in the form of a pedal under the driver's left foot. The speed is shown by a green digital indicator. The car is opened with an electronic ignition key; in the event of a malfunction, you can get into the salon (but not drive) using a mechanical key. The car is turned on by pressing the Power button while the brake is pressed.
The Prius is highly economical for several reasons:
The efficiency of any gasoline engine is not a constant value, but depends on power. Thanks to the ability to both add power due to the electric motor, and spend part of the power on charging the battery, and also (at low speeds) turn off the gasoline engine altogether and drive only at the expense of electricity, it is possible to optimize engine performance.
During stops in traffic jams, before traffic lights, etc., the engine is switched off. In other cars, it idles, consuming gasoline. In long traffic jams, the life support system (headlights, on-board computer, audio system, brake and steering boosters) “eat up” the battery charge and the engine starts to recharge the VVB, but this is still much more economical than “turning” a 2-liter engine (approximate equivalent of a power plant Prius).
The Atkinson engine is economical on its own. Its low power is a tolerable disadvantage, since additional power can be provided by an electric motor.
During braking and deceleration (e.g. on a steep descent), energy is stored in the battery thanks to regenerative braking.
Low aerodynamic drag reduces fuel consumption, especially at high speeds or in strong headwinds.
Some models are equipped with an EV button that activates electric vehicle mode. In this mode, the car can smoothly accelerate (up to 57 km / h) and brake, and on free highways with small elevation changes can show high efficiency. An additional plus is the ability to drive into a poorly ventilated garage and not be afraid to be poisoned by exhaust fumes. However, in this mode, in the cold season, the possibilities for heating the interior are limited - all modern cars heat the interior, taking heat from the cooling system, which cools down in a few tens of minutes when the engine is not running.
[edit] BenefitsHigh efficiency, as a result - savings on gasoline costs and the need to stop at the gas station less often.
Low level of air pollution. This is partly a consequence of efficiency (the less fuel is burned, the less harmful emissions), and partly - turning off the engine at stops when gases that are especially harmful to human health enter the atmosphere. Compared to a conventional car, the Prius emits 85% less unburned hydrocarbons CnHm and nitrogen oxides NOx [source not specified 409 days].
Low noise level, for several reasons:
During stops, the engine is turned off.
A quieter electric motor runs in conjunction with, or sometimes instead of, a gasoline engine.
Excellent dynamics:
traction motor always delivers maximum torque
the absence of a gearbox as such (a planetary gear is used)
A high level of safety for the driver and passengers, for several reasons:
Two independent braking systems - regenerative and friction
Heavy machine (1240 kg)
High crash test results for driver and passengers
Electronic ignition key.
[edit] Disadvantages Higher price than conventional cars of the same class. In many countries, however, the high price is partly offset by tax incentives. In addition, the difference in prices is partially or completely compensated by the savings in gasoline.
There is an opinion that the noiselessness of the car can be dangerous for blind or inattentive pedestrians.
Few repairers and workshops repairing hybrid vehicles.
In freezing temperatures, the benefits of a hybrid drive can be lost, as the internal combustion engine is almost always running, producing energy to heat the passenger compartment if it is turned on.
High dynamics is achievable only at low speeds, since at high speeds the entire load falls on a low-power internal combustion engine.
[edit] Criticism Some believe that in the future there will be a problem of disposal of used batteries, as there is already a problem of their "dirty" production. However, Toyota and Honda have made a commitment to recycle used batteries; what's more, they not only accept used batteries, but also pay $200 for each.
In Top gear, Jeremy Clarkson criticized the Prius for not being as fuel efficient or environmentally friendly, as the supply and recycling of all vehicle components, such as batteries, leaves too much of an environmental footprint. On the track, the BMW M3 and Toyota Prius made 10 laps at the same time at a speed of 160 km/h. The BMW M3 followed the Toyota Prius. The BMW was more economical with 19.4 mpg of gasoline, while the Prius was 17.2 mpg of gasoline.
That is, if you want an economical car, buy a BMW M3? - No... Don't change your car, change your driving style.
Original text (English) [show]
If you want an economical car, - buy BMW M3? - No ... Don "t change the car, change your driving style.
[edit] Design features Automatically recharges the battery when braking (regenerative braking).
During dynamic acceleration, both engines combine forces - Hybrid Synergy Drive.
The on-board computer (32-bit processor) supports the optimal operation of the gasoline engine (Atkinson cycle) and the optimal battery charge level (Panasonic, NiMH, 8 years warranty).
The start-stop of the gasoline engine is fully automated, the switching of the “Movement”, “Parking” modes is done using the joystick on the dashboard (Drive-by-Wire).
Can a five-seater passenger car with a length of 4.45 meters (this is more than that of a VAZ-2110 sedan) have a gasoline consumption in the city (not even diesel fuel) of 2.82 liters per 100 kilometers without any damage to dynamic performance? Yes, if it's a Toyota Prius II.
First of all, you need to make a correction - the mentioned consumption was obtained in a test on the Japanese 10-15 cycle, which by its nature - the essence of the urban traffic cycle - is known to be the most problematic for cars in terms of efficiency. As they say, inspires.
We have already said that quite recently, when entering the hybrid car market, Ford decided to buy the corresponding technology from Toyota.
It is clear why. The first generation Toyota Prius, produced from 1997 to 2003, found many buyers around the world.
The newest second generation Prius, having barely appeared, won four prestigious awards in the United States at once, including becoming the best car of 2004 in North America.
Its amazing performance is provided by the "hybrid-joint drive" (Hybrid synergy drive) - a system that can be called a hybrid squared. Let's see why.
Toyota is not the only manufacturer mass-producing hybrid cars (Honda has a hybrid, for example), and almost all major auto companies have experimental work.
There are two main types of hybrid drive - serial and parallel.
In the first case, the internal combustion engine is not connected to the wheels in any way - it works on a generator that charges the batteries. Traction electric motors, depending on the driving mode, receive current either from batteries or directly from the generator, plus batteries as an additive.
In the second version, the internal combustion engine is connected to the wheels through a conventional gearbox. And to the wheels (it doesn’t matter the same or to a different axle) an electric motor is connected, which is powered by batteries.
The central display clearly shows the cycling of power flows in the Prius II's extensive drive system (photo from toyota.com).
In both cases, traction electric motors during braking can work as generators, providing energy return, which gives a gain in efficiency.
However, the Prius uses a combination of both types. So it turns out that before us is a hybrid of a hybrid. As the Japanese say, in this case, you can achieve very high efficiency in combination with the same high acceleration dynamics of the car.
Let's take a walk through the main nodes of the Hybrid synergy drive.
First, it is an ICE. Displacement 1.5 liters, 4 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder with variable valve timing, compression ratio 13:1, power 76 horsepower.
Power, note, is not the most record for such a volume, but with such a degree of compression.
But this engine is very economical by itself (excluding the help of an electric motor).
In addition, it meets the most stringent American, not yet introduced, Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle and Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicles toxicity standards, that is, an “ultra super low” exhaust level and a so-called “partially zero” standard.
Filling a hybrid car from Toyota (illustration from toyota.co.jp).
There is also a separate generator, plus batteries - nickel-metal hydride.
Of their characteristics, attention is drawn to the high output peak power of 28 horsepower (we specifically give the parameters of the electrics not in kilowatts, so that it is more convenient to compare with internal combustion engines).
Note that classic batteries on ordinary cars with a huge peak current “strain” with all their might to turn the starter with a power of one or two “horses”.
Naturally, there is an electronic system for redistributing the load between all these elements in all driving modes.
It is possible to cruise on only one internal combustion engine, one electric motor or their joint use.
At the same time, even in the case of uniform motion, part of the ICE power goes to the generator, to the control system, and then to the traction electric motor.
It would seem that these are unnecessary losses in the conversion, however, this is how engineers achieve the optimal operating mode of the internal combustion engine (revs / load), which affects the specific fuel consumption.
The scheme of connections in the "hybrid-hybrid" system (illustration from the site toyota.co.jp).
And one more thing: the large torque of the electric motor, which it is ready to give out at any speed, is the key to convenient and flexible control of the colossal traction on the drive wheels.
The batteries are charged from two sides at once - from the internal combustion engine and from the wheels (during braking).
Here it is necessary to mention the maximum voltage in this "smart" traction power supply - as much as 500 volts.
It assumes relatively low currents for such powers, and therefore lower losses for ohmic heating of wires compared to previously used systems (say, the first Prius had "only" 274 Volts).
The highlight of the machine is the power divider. This is a planetary transmission, the central (solar) wheel of which is connected to the generator, the planetary (carrier) - to the internal combustion engine, and the outermost ring - to the electric motor and the wheels of the machine.
This system smoothly redistributes power flows between nodes in various directions.
In particular, it is possible to start the car on one electric motor, followed by the start of the internal combustion engine in motion.
The result of such a complex system speaks for itself.
Serial and parallel hybrid drives (illustrations from toyota.co.jp).
The overall efficiency of the Prius II (calculated on the full energy path from the tank to the wheels, so to speak) is 37%, versus 16% for the gasoline counterpart (when operating in the "Japanese" standard urban cycle).
It's hard to find another gas-powered car that's that economical for its size, with 104 peak horsepower (ICE plus batteries) to spare.
