Hybrid car (hybrid) is a transport, which may be equipped with an unusual internal combustion engine, and the so-called hybrid power unit. The main difference of hybrid cars is that, that vehicles of this type are propelled by the use of several energy sources: thermal and electrical. In other words, the hybrid machine has several types of engines on board, which drive the car.
We also recommend reading the article about it, which is better to choose, gasoline or diesel engine. In this article you will learn about the main pros and cons of these types of power units.
As for the very concept of a hybrid engine, then this term is misunderstood by many as a special power plant. In fact, a "hybrid" should be understood as several different types of engines, which are integrated into a single integrated system for the conversion of various energy sources into useful work. In the modern automotive industry, hybrids are equipped with two types of power units: the electric motor is paired with an internal combustion engine.
The main advantages and disadvantages of hybrid cars
The main advantage of using a tandem of internal combustion engine and electric motor was a significant reduction in fuel consumption. Fuel consumption rate in modern hybrid cars up to 30% less than conventional cars. Burning less gasoline or diesel fuel at the same time reduced the toxicity of hybrids. It turns out, hybrid cars are more economical and environmentally friendly compared to traditional counterparts, which are equipped only with internal combustion engines. Hybrids also produce less noise during operation.
As for electric cars, hybrid solutions have a longer margin than electric cars, and are "universal" in terms of everyday use. The hybrid does not require charging from the mains and is filled with simple gasoline. After burning fuel, part of the energy accumulates in the battery, from which the electric motor is driven. An additional power source for battery charging is brake recovery, that is, the conversion of the kinetic energy of a moving car into electricity.
Also, hybrid cars have a number of design solutions and a maximum of auxiliary systems for high efficiency and reduction of harmful emissions.: start-stop system, change of timing phases, EGR system, coolant heating with exhaust gases, etc..
The disadvantages of hybrids, experts attribute the high initial cost, as well as certain difficulties in the process of repair and maintenance of such machines. Another disadvantage is the possible critical discharge of the hybrid battery and the rapid failure of this element in conditions of significant temperature fluctuations.
It is worth adding, that although hybrid cars show high efficiency in urban traffic (constant stops, idling, driving at low speeds), on the track, the efficiency of the hybrid power plant is not so noticeable. The point is, that the basis of the hybrids is a certain distribution of loads between the unit on electric traction and the engine on hydrocarbons. To maintain high speed, the main load falls on the engine, as a result, fuel consumption naturally increases.
How the internal combustion engine and the electric motor interact in hybrids
One of the first developments was the scheme, in which each of the power plants is involved under certain conditions. If the machine is stationary or moving at low speed, then the wheels turn the motor. A gasoline engine is connected to accelerate and further maintain speed. Further development of technology has led to this, that on hybrids there are some variants of realization of interaction of the usual engine and the electric motor. Such interaction can be:
- consistent;
- parallel;
- sequentially parallel;
consistent interaction
The serial circuit resembles electric cars, as the movement of the vehicle is realized by means of work of the electric motor. The internal combustion engine in this design is connected to the generator, from the power generator comes to the motor itself, and the battery is charged in parallel. On a single charge of a lithium-ion battery with increased capacity, you can often walk close 50 km. way, then the internal combustion engine is involved, which extends the specified segment to 10 times (close 500 km.)
parallel interaction
Hybrids with parallel interaction of installations assume the possibility of both separate operation of the internal combustion engine and electric motor, and simultaneous operation. This design is realized by combining with special couplings of the electric unit, internal combustion engine and transmission. Such hybrid cars have a low-power electric motor, which not only drives the car, but also gives power during acceleration. Most often, such an electric motor is a starter and car generator, constructively occupying an intermediate position between the internal combustion engine and the checkpoint.
We also recommend reading the article about it, how to properly run a diesel engine. In this article you will learn about the basic recommendations and instructions during the running-in of a new diesel car.
Serial-parallel interaction
In this design, the internal combustion engine and the electric motor are connected by a planetary gearbox. The peculiarity of this scheme of implementation is that, that each power plant can be turned on and off, giving the minimum or maximum power to the wheels. Moreover, the specified power is given separately or simultaneously. The device of such a circuit has a generator, which feeds the hybrid electric motor.
Toyota is the market leader in hybrid cars today, яка використовує послідовно-паралельну реалізацію під назвою Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Electric motor, The internal combustion engine and the generator are integrated into a common system by means of a planetary gearbox. The internal combustion engine gives a minimum of power at the "bottom" (the Atkinson cycle), allowing to save fuel. A hybrid car with such a scheme of interaction provides:
- Economy mode only on electric traction with the engine off, during which the electric motor is powered by the battery.
- Maintenance of the set speed by distribution of power of the internal combustion engine on wheels and the generator, from which the electric motor is fed in parallel. The battery is also being recharged.
- Mode of intense acceleration and heavy loads, when the internal combustion engine and the electric motor work in parallel. In this mode, the electric motor is powered by a battery, without taking power from the generator.
Exploitation of hybrids: destroy myths
- Hybrid cars are a novelty, which is not completely improved and has many shortcomings. This is a myth, since the Toyota brand is engaged in full-scale mass production of hybrid models almost 20 years.
- In hybrids, batteries are discharged, which leads to problems. It's true, but only partially. In the initial stages of technology development, similar cases occurred, but today high-precision electronics do not allow deep discharge of the battery.
- Hybrid cars break down more often, they are expensive and difficult to repair. This is a myth, as hybrid cars are not less reliable in operation in comparison with usual diesel and gasoline internal combustion engines. Most service stations comprehensively service hybrids along with conventional cars. Moreover, PPC in hybrids eliminates the presence of friction, which makes such a transmission simple and reliable, what can you say about the different types of automatic transmission. As for the internal combustion engine, the engine on hybrids more often works at low turns, does not reach peak loads. If we also take into account the Atkinson cycle, then the engine life of the engine on the hybrid is much larger than a conventional engine.
- The hybrid internal combustion engine has less power, such cars lose in dynamics in comparison with analogs. So, internal combustion engine power on hybrids is less, but due to the addition of an electric motor, the total power of the installations significantly exceeds the power of conventional analogues with one gasoline engine.
- Consumption of a hybrid car in practice is not much different from a regular car. This is partly true, as the consumption rate of hybrid cars directly depends on driving modes. To achieve maximum efficiency, you need to change the driving style to slow, calm and smooth, avoiding overclocking, active throttling, etc.. In other words, strong presses on the accelerator pedal will give command to the control system before, that you need to start the engine.
The idea of fuel economy in hybrid cars is, so that when the battery is charged as long as possible to move only on electric traction at speeds up to 60 km / h., Which is often lacking in the dense urban flow. It is also necessary to add, that the system takes into account a large number of factors: outside temperature, the degree of heating of the internal combustion engine and coolant, battery charge, slope or slide movement, etc.. In different conditions, the hybrid can use internal combustion engines, and can move only on electricity.
- The battery for the hybrid is hard to find over the counter, and the battery takes up a lot of space in the trunk of the car. This is a myth, as batteries for hybrids are always available to order in car shops, as well as a wide selection on various Internet resources. As for free space, the battery takes up almost no usable space in the trunk.
- You can put gas on the hybrid car. This is a myth, because the world's HBO manufacturers produce equipment, compatible with electronic hybrid car control unit.