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Another Truck New Guy

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by vpr1019, Nov 26, 2009.

  1. vpr1019

    vpr1019 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2009
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    GA
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Owner of a 08 F150 V6 here and I'm here to learn about the Prius and other electric/hybrid vehicles. This is a whole new world to me. I have a background in electronics technology but never covered any application to vehicles so this place has intrigued me. I know with having truck I would like to get a car (in the future, can't afford it now) that gets great mileage and the Prius seems like one of the most known for getting that. I look foward to learning all I can and contributing as best I can.
     
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
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    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    The Prius uses quite a lot of CPUs to control the car. Both the throttle and brakes are drive by wire, mere suggestions to the CPUs of what you hope to acheive. The 'transmission' never shifts or engages different gears. (the only mechanical change is a parking pawl that keeps the car stationary in Park) The ICE never drives the wheels in reverse, the electronics rotate the motor (MG2) backwards so the car goes backwards.

    The two drive motors and the ICE are connected to a planetary gearset, MG1 is the sun gear and is most often used as a generator, although it is also the starter motor and sometimes a motor for propulsion. MG2 is 5 times as strong and is directly geared to the wheels on the ring gear, it is most often a propulsion motor, unless you press the brake pedal, then it does regenerative braking, charging the traction battery. (The 12v battery helps start the computers, and powers the accesories when the car is off)

    The Internal Combustion Engine is on the planetary gear, and sends 28% of its energy to MG1 on the sun gear and 72% to the ring gear with MG2. If the traction battery does not need all 28%, then MG1 sends power to MG2 as well.

    I find this simulation informative:
    A simulation of Prius's Planetary Gear

    You can apply power to the Motor MG2, and the engine, and the Generator (MG1) will adjust. If you click where it says THS, (2001 -2003) it will switch to THSII, the system used on 2004 to 2009 Prius.

    For completeness I should mention N, where both motors are off, so the ICE has nothing to push againist, no battery charging can happen in N. B is a mode to use the ICE as a Jake Brake. If you go down an incline of over 600 feet, you will have recharged the Traction Battery, so the motors have no way to bleed off energy and you will have to rely on the Disc/Drum brakes. B mode can use the ICE as an air pump to help bleed of energy going down long hills (like compression braking)
     
  3. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2004
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    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Prius is a car that defies many conventional wisdoms that many gear-heads love to hate.

    To understand Prius, you need to have an open mind to see the shortcomings of the current cars/trucks. Prius is highly efficient because it use more energy from the gasoline that would otherwise wasted.

    It starts from the "more efficient" ICE with Atkinson cycle. It recovers braking energy, exhaust heat and sun light to get the most MPG.

    Bill Gates referred to Prius as a "software car" because the majority of the complexity is in the software.
     
  4. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2004
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    Location:
    Far-North Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    OK, wow. There's almost no simple way to explain it. Even when trying to keep it short - like Jimbo attempted - it's rather boggling. Then again, I'm not an engineer so everything boggles my mind.

    In addition to Jimbo's simulation, I like this one: Toyota Prius - Power Split Device
    Be sure to scroll down.

    Here's how it's mechanically connected in the car:
    [​IMG]

    And here's a really good thread discussing the whole thing: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ure-2010-prius-transaxle-compared-others.html

    In the end, I think you'll find that the variable piston timing, planetary gear system and continuously variable transmission are just like any other vehicle except not really.
     
  5. vpr1019

    vpr1019 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2009
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    Location:
    GA
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Holy crap. Mind is boggled at the moment. This is a very complex car. I had no clue it was this complex. Thanks for the info guys.
     
  6. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Location:
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    If you thinks thats mind boggling, go to you Toy dealer and take one for a test drive. Don't freak when the engine turns off at the stop signs! :)
     
  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
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    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Mechanically, the transmission is quite simple and compact. The biggest problem is that it is so different from what we are accustomed to in non-hybrids.