Hybrid Driving
Hybrid drives are increasingly being used to complement conventional combustion engines. Within the foreseeable future, they will serve as a bridge between electric drives and future energy sources, such as fuel cells.
A basic distinction between mild and full hybrid systems can be made based on the power output of the electric drive. In mild hybrid systems, the electric motor provides supportive power of up to 15 kilowatts, which is primarily used for starting up and accelerating. Full hybrid systems have much more powerful, electric drive systems, typically able to generate 25 to 50 kilowatts.
Functions, Products and Services for this technology
- Regenerative braking
- Start/stop function: engine automatically cuts out at vehicle stop
- Electric drive systems
- Downsizing of combustion engines
The Benefits
- Option to forgo use of combustion engines
- Mild and full hybrid vehicles reduce fuel consumption considerably
Electric Driving
Electric drive systems are defined by their ability to produce motive power via an electric machine on wheels. Advantage: This usually provides zero-emission transportation. This is true for typical city vehicles (with accordingly low speed) up to completely electric vehicles with speeds of up to 250 km/h and above.
Available Products for this Function
- Electric traction machines
- Hybrid propelled machines
- High performance electronics for use with the electric machines
- Battery electronics for use in high-voltage batteries and modules
- DCDC converters
- Electric vacuum pumps for brake boosting purposes
The Benefits
- Realisation of driving modes that improve comfort and performance
- Reduction of CO2 emissions
Coasting
While coasting, the engine is decoupled from the wheels (usually via the gearbox), permitting the engine to be shut down during continued forward travel, whilst vehicle speed is maintained. When the driver requires propulsion again to accelerate, the engine can be rapidly and seamlessly restarted.
Products and Product Properties
- Stop-start machines (high-speed asynchronous machines)
The Benefits
- Realisation of driving modes that improve comfort and performance
- Reduction of CO2 emissions
Stop-Start
Stop-start systems ensure that the engine and transmission are decoupled via the clutch or torque converter, permitting the engine to be shut down when the vehicle approaches rest. The higher the auto-stop speed, the higher the potential for fuel savings. When the driver requires propulsion again to accelerate, the engine can be rapidly and seamlessly restarted.
Available Products for this Function
- Stop-start machines (high-speed asynchronous machines)
- Integrated starter alternator
The Benefits
- Realisation of driving modes that improve user comfort
- Reduction of CO2 emissions
Energy Recovery
The energy recovery function allows the electric drive system to convert vehicle kinetic energy into electrical energy, that is usually stored on a battery (which can later be drawn from again). The higher the amount of regenerative energy recovered, the higher the potential fuel savings.
Available Products for this Function
- Stop-start machines (high-speed asynchronous machines)
- Integrated starter alternator
- Purely electrically powered traction machines
- Hybrid machines
- High performance electronics for use with electric machines
The Benefits
- Achievement of driving modes that improve user comfort
- Reduction of CO2 emissions