Guidelines on hybrid cars

At the launch of the first BMW Active Hybrid I discovered surprised hybrids were regarded with great suspicion: "How's that going hybrid but only three kilometers in electric mode? Well, what's good? Electric that engine is bullshit!" General confusion continued with an advertisement announcing a French builder hybrid technology on a model that did not even have electric motor, "What the hell is going on here? Hybrid What is this? They mock us?"

Things have changed somewhat since then (it's been two years) and hybrid-electric confusion is not so present. However, blurring persists, fueled by staggering terms invented by marketing people zealous "micro-hybrid", "auto start-stop hybrid technology", "brake energy regeneration." Anyone who wants to say "WTF!" Meeting with these words, has the right...


Much plan my comeback blog with some explanations of alleged specialist and encouraged by the initiative's teaching Zvoner, I'll have written:

What the hell is a hybrid car?

First, the secret is hidden in the word. "Hybrid" means the combination of the two issues, in this case the two forms of propulsion. The most common form is the combination of internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors. But we can imagine other combinations, although I do not think there was ever in practice: steam, gasoline, and hydrogen-gasoline.

Secondly, the key is to understand the problem solved by hybrid. No hybrid is intermediate technological solution because we have the technology for a truly electric. The problem was different: when braking, accelerating all the fuel consumed prior was wasted. In other words "burn gas for nothing."

The solution was simple - instead of a friction brake (pad-disc), make a brake with an electric generator. The result - the energy of motion (kinetic) energy is converted into electricity. Imagine a giant bicycle dynamo (for sports fans), when you stick the wheel, bicycle brakes.

In other words, a distinctive element model "hybrid" as we find in the market is Electric motor. It can break with an electrical generator. The generator can be used simply as you go through the same cycle electric motor backwards - electrical energy is converted into kinetic energy - motion.

A first classification of hybrid models can be done as "influential" is the electric motor:
- Full hybrid, the electric motor can propel one car (Toyota Prius and BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid)
- Mild hybrid, the electric motor only supports moving along the internal combustion (Mercedes S-Class Hybrid)
- Micro-hybrid - there is an electric motor, but no concept of "braking power generator" so-called "Brake Energy RECUPERATION / regeneration".

And they can make a second classification, as the link between the two types of engines and wheels:
- Parallel hybrid, both engines can train wheels (and then have full, mild, etc.).
- Hybrid series, the internal combustion engine not involve wheels, drives a generator that produces electricity for another electric motor. It seems a very complicated scratching the ear wrong, but the system is successful Chevy Volt and Opel Ampera with. The "series hybrid" describes the concept of "range extender", is empowering electric motor with an internal combustion engine.
- For rigorous, there is "two-mode hybrid" which combines the first 2 Category in a single system.

Need to understand a complicated expression and are almost done with grief: "Brake Energy RECUPERATION / regeneration". That is not what it seems.
Be aware that any machine "normal" is battery and has a generator (which appoints alternator auto mechanic). This "generator" is permanently coupled to the engine and uses the engine power to charge the battery permanently (and car battery starts supplying all electric car - lights, radio, wipers). Modern solution is simple - the acceleration Disconnect alternator to have more power from the engine to the wheels. Braking load on the battery quickly. So I have more power on acceleration and lower fuel consumption.
Demanding, for customer benefits are impressive, it is called "Brake Energy Regeneration". The secret is to have a generator (which still exists), but how and when they use it.

And conclude with another information "surprising". Electric motor is on any modern car for more than 50 years. He is called "starter", "starter" or "electric". Its role is to print the first rotation engine to start. No "starter" car porn "to handle".
Just one last explanation: Auto Start-Stop system, which helps to not consume fuel unnecessarily when sitting at traffic lights, for example. Problem is that everything on and off this site require starter who can give more. Parallel hybrid models (I learned something today), the system can use the electric motor to start the internal combustion - is smoother, simpler and faster. Replacing starter classic, powerful electric motor justify the term "Auto start-stop hybrid technology."

There are a few secret "dirty" about hybrid models to be taken into account. Firstly we are not yet able to build efficient batteries. Anyone worked with phone charger in your pocket for the battery begins to discharge in 30 minutes, know what I mean. Batteries used for hybrid and electric cars are lithium ion battery as used on laptops and modern phones.

Batteries are relatively heavy, with motor vehicle more difficult. This means that a hybrid model is often less effective than a classic one outside the city, where no "benefit" of repeated braking. But solutions begin to appear, with a very intelligent management system, BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid begin to announce some interesting ideas.

Eventually, technology, hybrid models are still passing into power. Some of the technologies that are found are developed for hybrid electric are easily taken, batteries, motors and braking power generation. The advantage is that it is implemented quickly and in large volumes of hybrid models to achieve an "economy of scale".