Editor in chief? | Zhao Wenhua
Today, we talk about HEV hybrid.
When it comes to HEV, most people will think of Toyota for the first time. As one of the most mature HEV hybrid systems, Toyota THS hybrid vehicle has the advantages of maturity, reliability and fuel economy. However, I wonder if you have ever driven a Highlander twin engine? If so, I have probably experienced such a situation: first, when the vehicle overtakes at high speed or accelerates rapidly, the power is somewhat insufficient; Second, when the engine accelerates, the high speed of the engine intervenes, and the hissing noise increases obviously, which greatly reduces the driving experience. The reason why these two situations occur is because the Japanese oil-electric hybrid was originally designed to save fuel.
Does that mean that between power and fuel economy, HEV hybrid can only be one of them? Not exactly. For example, Changan Ford's new hybrid system makes up for the inherent shortcomings of Japanese hybrid fuel economy but insufficient performance. In other words, the "Ford School" hybrid car not only saves fuel but also ensures sufficient power. Because of the two, the first production model of this hybrid system is a brand-new 7-seat SUV-Sharp L.
▲ Ford New Sharp L, a non-production model
Some consumers may be unfamiliar with Ford's hybrid technology. However, when you see this technical architecture diagram, do you feel deja vu? Yes, the working principle of Ford's HEV hybrid system is very similar to that of Toyota's THS (Toyota Hybrid System), and it belongs to a dual-motor power split hybrid system. The whole system is mainly composed of planetary gear sets, two motors (generators/drive motors) and motor controller components. The sun gear, the planetary carrier and the gear ring are connected with the engine and the motor respectively, so as to realize the effects of power shunting, merging and speed regulation under different working conditions.
You may ask, doesn't Toyota THS have a patent? How could Ford have a similar hybrid technology? I'm afraid you underestimated Ford.
In fact, Ford began to study hybrid technology as early as the 1990s. 1995, the patent of hybrid system jointly developed by Ford and Aisin came into effect, and the core PSD technology of Toyota hybrid was not patented until 1997. Facing many patents of Ford, it is undoubtedly the best way for Toyota to cooperate with Ford in North America. So in 2004, Ford and Toyota reached a patent sharing agreement, and the two brands authorized each other to use some of their patented technologies. Therefore, it is not wrong to say that Ford is one of the founders of hybrid shunting technology.
Comparing the hybrid systems of Ford and Toyota, it is not difficult to find that the drive motor and reduction gear of Ford hybrid system are coaxial, while the drive motor of Toyota hybrid system is coaxial with the engine and generator, while the reduction gear is arranged on different shafts. This is precisely because Ford's earliest patent involved this technology, so Toyota had to bypass it. However, the difference between the two is very small, and both belong to the power split hybrid technology.
After more than 20 years of market verification, the power split hybrid system has long been synonymous with maturity and reliability. So, what are the advantages of Changan Ford's hybrid system?
Simply put, the power split hybrid system can bring five operating modes to the vehicle:
One. ? When the vehicle starts and runs at a low speed, the power battery supplies power to the driving motor, and then the power is transmitted to the wheels through the gear set, and the vehicle is driven by pure electricity.
Two. ? In the case of medium and low load, the power battery does not participate in the output. At this time, the engine participates in the work, and a part of kinetic energy is transferred to the wheel end. Power split hybrid technology will drive another part of kinetic energy to the motor through the generator, and at the same time drive the vehicle with electricity, similar to series expansion. At the same time, the vehicle controller VCU will calculate and weigh the optimal efficiency of the engine and the driving motor according to the power output needs, so that both of them can run in the optimal efficiency range. While ensuring the power, the fuel consumption is still controlled at the best level. This is also the driving state of most vehicles (such as driving smoothly in cities and highways).
Three. ? When the vehicle needs high load conditions such as rapid acceleration and high-speed overtaking, the power battery also participates in the hybrid drive mode of output. The high-voltage battery is completely discharged, and the driving motor is completely output. At this time, the total output power of the system is equal to the sum of engine output power and motor output power, which is the strongest mode of the system power.
It must be pointed out here that Changan Ford's hybrid electric power system adopts a set of high-speed flat-wire oil-cooled motor, which can output the maximum additional power of 320 N m/140 kW. Compared with Toyota 270 n m/134 kw, it provides more extra power.
Four. ? Braking energy recovery mode, when the pedal is released or the brake slows down, the system converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, and alternating current is converted into direct current to be stored in the battery, which stores energy for the battery.
Verb (short for verb)? Idle charging mode, when the traffic jam is stationary, the engine idling is a bit wasteful. At this time, the engine is charging the battery at idle speed.
If you think the technology is tedious and boring, you may wish to directly look at the benefits brought by Changan Ford's hybrid system.
The first is fuel economy. Take Sharp L, which will be launched soon, as an example. The comprehensive fuel consumption of this 5-meter-long 7-seat SUV under WLTC condition is only 6.31L ... The NEDC condition will be further reduced by about 0.5L, and the NEDC (dual-engine four-wheel drive) of Highlander at the same level has a comprehensive fuel consumption of 5.8L per 100 kilometers, which is almost the same. Of course, this is only the theoretical fuel consumption, and the actual fuel consumption performance of Sharp L will also be measured after the new car goes on the market, so please continue to pay attention.
The second is a strong motive. As I mentioned earlier, the development idea of Changan Ford hybrid system is different from that of Japanese hybrid system, which only focuses on energy saving. In order to ensure sufficient power, the system is equipped with a fifth-generation 2.0T Ecoboost high-power turbocharger with a maximum torque of 405n·m and a maximum power of 202kW(275 HP). In contrast, this generation of Highlander twin engines is equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine with a maximum torque of 238n·m and a peak power of 183kW. Honda hybrid models use 2.0L engine, and independent brands basically use 1.5T engine. It can be said that Ford's hybrid power is the strongest in HEV field at present. Specific to the new car Sharp L, its zero acceleration is only 7. 1 sec. Compared with the 9-second Highlander double engine, it is not a level at all.
As Ford's golden power, 2.0T Ecoboost also has many eye-catching technologies, such as dual injection system (PFI injection at air intake and high-pressure direct injection in 350bar cylinder), dual scroll supercharger (electronic control, which can quickly and accurately adjust the speed of supercharger under all working conditions), and central OCV and VCT control valves (improving intake and exhaust, NVH performance and response speed). At the same time, the EGR exhaust gas circulation system is integrated into the cylinder head assembly, making the engine smaller and more compact.
On the basis of fuel saving, try to increase the upper limit of power. Changan Ford's hybrid idea is actually very easy to understand, because manipulation has always been the DNA of Ford brand. This trait will continue in mixed times. Ford's return to F 1 this year also proves this point.
It is worth mentioning that matching this powerful engine has two advantages besides providing more power when necessary:
First, when accelerating rapidly, the speed is lower, which can bring stronger power output and lower engine noise, unlike the obvious noise after the intervention of Toyota twin-engine engine. The NVH of the whole vehicle is better.
Secondly, sufficient engine power means higher power generation. In addition to driving vehicles, power split technology can also charge batteries or directly drive motors anytime and anywhere.
More working conditions use electricity to participate in power output, which naturally reduces fuel consumption. This is why Changan Ford dares to propose that the new hybrid system can bring more powerful, more energy-saving and smoother comprehensive performance.
Let's talk about it finally.
With the electrification transformation, energy conservation and emission reduction have formed social consciousness. Therefore, in today's domestic automobile market, we can see plug-in hybrid, oil-electric hybrid, extended-range hybrid and pure electric system. However, in the geographical environment of China with vast territory, diverse road conditions and different automobile usage, no power system can absolutely meet the needs of all users. At present, hybrid electric vehicles are still a reasonable choice for many users who are inconvenient to charge their cars every day. This market, which has long been dominated by Japanese hybrids, will soon change with the arrival of Changan Ford's new hybrid system.
"I want horses to run faster and eat less for them." Whether Changan Ford's brand-new hybrid can truly realize the people's wishes depends on whether Sharp L can stand the test. Let's wait and see.
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