Featured Honda drive sounds interesting

It reads a lot like a Hybrid Camry. The engine is smaller though.

 

That's a year old article, by the way, referring to the current model. There is a new model being introduced though for next model year.

 

The model in the article did not work as well as expected? Or are they just trying to stay ahead of the competition?

 

More that they're replacing the Accord with a new generation to keep up with/stay ahead of the competition, so there'll be further updates.

 

Thanks very much for the link, interesting. We had our share of Accords, but after the Prius: I would be a lot more interested if they offered a hatchback version. I just can't go back to sedan now.

Shameless, frivolous link:

Second uhoh: dang, no spare.

 

Completely different hybrid system; the engine is only driving the wheels at highway speeds.
The traction motor has about 40 more horsepower than the current Camry hybrid's.

 

Very interesting drive setup. Explained here:

Explaining how Honda Accord Hybrid system works: video

 

From a Hybrid standpoint, I simply see it as being another road....that leads to Rome.
While Prius uses an e-CVT and a formal planetary gear based transmission orchestrated by Hybrid Synergy Drive and it's HCU, Honda seems to have employed Electric Motors, HV Battery and gasoline engine all orchestrated by a Power Control Unit, using an entire system that is in of itself it's own transmission.
But IMO somewhat misleading and disingenuous to say it doesn't have a transmission. It has a system that employs gears and power transfer to create tire movement, and momentum.....it's a "different" system with no direct part anyone is calling 'The Transmission" but whether you want to call it "Drive Force Transfer" or magical fairy wings, it's still created energy being "transmitted" to gears and creating wheel spin. I'd call that a system that is a transmission unto itself.

In the end, it's gasoline engine, electric motors, and battery...all working in "synergy" to create petrol burning efficiency. Hybrid Rome.

 

Anything that transfers power is a transmission.
Virtually all automotive transmissions do more than that. They also allow the manipulation of the engine's output by having multiple gear ratios to select from.
The Accord hybrid's transmission doesn't have multiple gear ratios; there is just the one. It's a BMX bike to the others' ten speed. If the HSD can be described as being as complex as a one speed manual, the Honda's Dual Motor can be describe as not having a transmission.

 

if that's the case, then this is one heck of a simple transmission ...



.

 

And that is all Honda's is most of the time.
It is a one speed electric drive in which the ICE generator can clutch in to provide direct propulsion at higher speeds.
The "no transmission" was a poor phrase(maybe a poor translation?), but it is probably the simplest transmission in an ICE car. Power split-hybrids, like the HSD, may not have a clutch, but they do have to juggle the the ICE and M/G inputs to simulate varying gear ratios.

 

IMHO this is not that simple. It has an electrical transmission, then a mechancal lock up gear.

mode 1 -> bev. That is what the tesla is like.
mode 2 ->hybrid. Same as a modern diesel electric train.
mode 3 -> mechanical lock up gear, similar to gear 6 in a 6 speed car. Requires clutch ;-)

Sounds similard to hsd. mode 1 is the same, honda is likely more efficient here as there should be less friction. Mode 2, different but more efficient at many speeds in hsd than in the honda. 2 mgs, but in the honda there is only an electrical not a mechanical connection. The hsd has a mechanical psd, which is pretty simple, but more complicated.

Mode 3 is where mechanically it is more complicated. here we need a gearing and a clutch. Here likely the honda is also more efficient for highway speeds, as I assume mechanical losses are lower than the electrical ones in the hsd.

Where the honda system is simpler is in software. prius software must do a dance to pick the right speed as mg1/mg2/engine are mechanically linked. Honda just needs to ask, does the battery have enough charge for power - mode 1. Is car going fast enough for mode 3? Else hybrid mode, with the motor just being in bev mode and the ice/generator doing what they need to do.

Explaining how Honda Accord Hybrid system works: video

 

Since the Camry is the Accord's main competition, the figures for the new 2018 Camry are the most important for comparison. Those numbers should be released in the next 2 or 3 months.