Mild hybrid

Mild hybrids are generally internal combustion engines equipped with an electric machine (one motor/generator in a parallel configuration) allowing the engine to be turned off whenever the car is coasting, braking, or stopped, yet restart quickly. Mild hybrids may employ regenerative brake and some level of power assist to the internal combustion engine (ICE), but mild hybrids do not have an exclusive electric-only mode of propulsion.[1][2][3]

Overview

The electric motor provides greater efficiency by replacing the starter and alternator with a single device which assists the powertrain. Mild hybrids do not require the same level of battery power and do not achieve the same levels of fuel economy improvement as compared to full hybrid models. One example is the 2005-07 Chevrolet Silverado, Parallel Hybrid Truck (PHT) a full-size pickup truck with a single 7 kW 3-phase electric motor mounted in the bell-housing between the engine and a conventional 4L60E transmission. Chevrolet was able to get a 10% improvement on the Silverado's city fuel efficiency by shutting down and restarting the engine on demand, and the reduction of parasitic accessory loads. However the PHT had no power assist features or all-electric "electric vehicle" (EV) capability, and very limited regenerative braking features.

Advantages and disadvantages

Compared to a full hybrid vehicle, however, mild hybrids may provide some of the benefits of the application of hybrid technologies, with less of the cost–weight penalty that is incurred by installing a full hybrid series-parallel drivetrain. Fuel savings would generally be lower than expected with use of a full hybrid design, as the design does not facilitate high levels of regenerative braking or necessarily promote the use of smaller, lighter, more efficient internal combustion engines. BMW, however, succeeded in combining regenerative braking with the "start-stop system", which is not a mild hybrid system, as it does not assist the combustion engine[4] in their current 1-series model.

Examples

General Motors

General Motors mild hybrids including the Parallel Hybrid Truck (PHT) and numerous cars and SUVs equipped with the BAS Hybrid system, often use a 36- to 48-volt system to supply the power needed for the startup motor, as well as a source of power to compensate for the increasing number of electronic accessories on modern vehicles.[5] GM's Belt alternator starter (BAS) mild hybrid system uses a belt drive to start the internal combustion engine (ICE) through its motor–generator unit (MGU), then once started the engine drives the 14.5 kW motor-generator to charge the batteries. The BAS hybrid system also utilizes regenerative braking to replenish the system's 36 V battery and can provide moderate levels of power assist. According to the EPA, a 2009 Saturn Vue Greenline equipped with the BAS Hybrid system delivers a 27% improvement in combined fuel economy over the non-hybrid version (FWD 4cyl).[6]

Honda

Honda's Integrated Motor Assist directly attaches a brush-less DC motor between the flywheel and transaxle, providing both assist during acceleration, and regeneration during coasting / braking. It has been produced in various voltages and power outputs, as dictated by the size and weight of the vehicle application. Models equipped with the Integrated Motor Assist include the Honda Insight (1999-2006, 2009- ), Honda Jazz (2011- ) Honda Civic (2003- ), Honda Accord (2005-2007), and CR-Z (2010- ).

Others

During the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing in August, Chinese automobile manufacturer Chang'an Motors supplied a number of hybrid-drive cars as taxis for the athletes and spectators. The power electronics for the "mild hybrid" drive was supplied by Infineon.[7]

Toyota sold a mild hybrid version of the luxurious Toyota Crown beginning in 2002 only for the Japanese domestic market.[8] Fuel economy was increased when compared with the standard 3.0 V6 petrol unit. Toyota now sells a full hybrid with an electric motor for the new 2008 Toyota Crown under their brand name Hybrid Synergy Drive.

MINI and BMW have start and stop, and some with regenerative braking, in all of their vehicles sold in Europe running 4-cylinder engines with manual transmissions.

The Smart Fortwo microhybrid sold in Europe, although is not a mild hybrid.

Citroën proposes a stop and start system on its C2 and C3 models.[9] The concept-car C5 Airscape has an improved version of that, adding regenerative braking and traction assistance functionalities, and ultracapacitors for energy buffering.[10]

VW brought two mild hybrid concept cars to Shanghai for the Challenge Bibendum.[11]

Suzuki have annocouned the Suzuki Baleno with integrated SHVS-technology in 2016 on a new car-platform. Suzuki have had experience with this mild-hybrid technology in their Suzuki Ciaz.

List of makes and models

See also

References

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