Hybrid cars use more than one source of power, thus the term Hybrid is used to
describe these vehicles. The most common two sources in today's hybrid cars are
petrol and electric power. The body of the hybrid car is lighter than a conventional
vehicle to offset the addition of more
batteries and the electric motor,
which are very heavy. The tires are made
of firm material and hold more air pressure to decrease rolling resistance, which
helps improve mileage. The batteries are charged by recovering brake energy (kinetic)
and are recharged from the alternator.
Unlike the batteries of a conventional car the battery of a hybrid car differs in
the internal structure and the amount of energy stored.
The replacement of nickel with copper has made the hybrid battery more powerful
but the cost is rising do to the increased demand of raw materials. A new battery
called a lithium ion is quickly becoming a viable alternative. They can produce
more power with a shorter recharge rate. Hybrid cars and trucks are becoming more
popular as petroleum based fuels have become more expense to obtain as the world
supply diminishes. As technology improves on both the efficiency of the rechargeable
battery packs and the increased motor output hybrids cars have become more feasible.
Research in hybrid technology has been extensive and beneficial to extend the
range and power aspects. The most noticeable advancements have been in the battery
sector. The batteries that power a hybrid vehicle are composed of many cells connected
together into "battery packs". These packs can be permanently mounted to the vehicle
or designed for easy removal and replacement. The "quick change" design is beneficial
for future deployment of "charge stations" that will enable long distance travel
by replacing the battery pack within a couple minutes.
Hybrid Car
There is no doubt, the world will run low petroleum fuel sometime in the near
future and hybrid/electric vehicles will be the solution. Automakers have taking
notice of this forecast and have made changes in the car lineup that will enable
them to respond to the new hybrid car demand. This lineup includes new models along
with existing models that have been updated with the new hybrid design. A definition
of "hybrid" means "more than one source of power" whereas an electric car is fully
electrically powered with no alterative power source. A hybrid can be comprised
of hydrogen and electric, petroleum fuel and electric and any other combination
imaginable.
The controller area network (CAN) incorporates high-speed communication busses
to facilitate communication between the microprocessors and additional control systems.
The multi-layer control system consists of electric motor controllers, battery management
systems, transmission controller, engine controller, and electrical the power grid
controller. The hybrid systems are more complex when integrated with an anti-lock
brake system. Some hybrid system design controls complex systems such as regenerative
brakes, main motor electrical power output/backup systems and switching between
fuel and electrical power.
This system also controls the more normal aspects of the car such as
anti-theft,
climate control, window,
light operation and entertainment systems. The computer system is separated into
modules and connects via an information bus. As in most
computer systems an
automatic malfunction detection program is designed to alert the driver a malfunction
has occurred. Once this system MIL (malfunction inductor lamp) has illuminated a
diagnostic trouble code will be stored in the
vehicle's computer and can be retrieved much like a fully petroleum based fuel car
would, with a
scanner. The method of code retrieval can vary from a self initiated request
to a serial port design to allow a code reader or a lap top with a specific program
to retrieve the trouble codes.
Even though it true hybrid cars and trucks have less maintenance, the maintenance
and service they do need will be more expensive. One of the largest
maintenance items
that will need little service compared to regular petroleum fuel car is the
brake system. Because a hybrid's
brake system is regenerative the energy normally lost in the brake process is now
directed to the batteries in the form of electricity. Brake systems for conventional
petroleum based cars utilize a hydraulic pressure system that creates friction via
brake pads, shoes, drums and rotors to slow the vehicle. This action creates heat
generated from the linear motion of a
brake rotor or
drum. This heat/friction energy is
recovered in a regenerative braking system.
To increase range capabilities for the hybrid car an auxiliary
battery pack can be installed
on some models to help increase battery life. These extras battery packs are designed
to boost the current system as a supplemental electric supply. Extended life batteries
can be charged separately and carried onboard to increase travel distance. Additionally,
after market battery manufactures have produced "extra life" main battery packs
designed to replace the original battery pack. Some companies claim to have improved
battery life more than 100 miles to the vehicle range.
Hybrid Car Advancement Categories
- Weight Reduction
- Aerodynamics
- Lubrication Systems
- Wheels and Tires/Rolling Resistance
- Optical Systems
The body of the hybrid car is lighter than a conventional vehicle thus facilitating
higher mileage. The tires are made of firm material and hold more air pressure to
decrease drag. The batteries are charged by recovering brake energy (kinetic) and
are recharged. Unlike the batteries of a conventional car the battery of a hybrid
car differs in the internal structure and the amount of energy stored. The replacement
of nickel with copper has made the hybrid battery more powerful but the cost is
rising do to the increased demand of raw materials. A battery called a lithium ion
is quickly becoming a viable alternative. They can produce more power with a shorter
recharge rate.
Basic Hybrid Configuration
A lightweight lithium ion battery also provides more power and a longer running
time than copper based batteries. This increases the efficiency and acceleration
of the car. The biggest advantage to users will be when lithium batteries are mass
produced to hold down the cost. Some hybrid cars are now being produce have the
option of "plug-in to charge" batteries. The user will plug in the vehicle to a
conventional electrical outlet to charge. This technology is a major advancement
and requires robust battery technology and an intelligent computer control system.
This provides the same charging power and energy storage when compared to cobalt
oxide battery.
The controller area network (CAN) incorporates high-speed communication buses
to facilitate communication between the microprocessors and the multi-layers of
control systems. The multi-layer control system consists of
electric motor
controllers, battery management systems,
transmission controller,
engine controller, and electrical grid controller. The hybrid system is also more
complex when integrated with an anti-lock brake system.
Toyota Hybrid Motorium ion batteries have cobalt
oxide cathode material, which makes it more vulnerable to catch fire or explode.
This is known as the thermal runaway effect. To defeat this condition manufacturers
have now replaced the cobalt metal with phosphate. This provides the same charging
power and energy storage when compared to cobalt oxide battery. Scientists claim
that the modern nickel metal hydride batteries, when compared to the traditional
nickel cadmium and lead acid batteries cause less harm to the environment. Lead
batteries are the most toxic followed by nickel and then lithium. Most manufacturers
recycle many of the components of the battery. The parts are disassembled and divided
into categories, plastic is shredded, metals and fluid extracted. The remainder
of the contents is neutralized before it is sent into landfills.
Toyota Hybrid Motor
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