What is the working principle of Toyota's hybrid system?
2 Answers
Toyota's hybrid system works by converting kinetic energy during braking into electrical energy, and it can shut down the engine when the vehicle is stuck in traffic. Unlike traditional fuel-powered vehicles, Toyota's hybrid system (THS) does not use a dedicated starter when the engine starts; instead, it utilizes the generator for starting. The advantages of this system include: the power transmission device consists of two motors (MG1, MG2), a compound gear mechanism, an Atkinson cycle engine, an inverter assembly, and an HV battery, along with an HVECU. This system can distribute power transmission under various operating conditions by utilizing both the engine and the HV high-voltage battery, featuring low emissions of pollutants and smooth acceleration.
I'm someone who's particularly fascinated by automotive technology and loves to delve into hybrid systems in my free time. The Toyota Hybrid System essentially relies on two core components: a gasoline engine and an electric motor, with a planetary gear set in between. The engine only operates at its most efficient RPMs, such as directly driving the wheels during steady-speed cruising or generating electricity via the alternator to store in the battery. The electric motor handles starting, acceleration, and low-speed crawling, offering a quiet and fuel-efficient pure electric mode. The key is that the planetary gear setup is incredibly flexible, dynamically distributing power: some goes straight to the wheels, while some is converted into electricity for recovery. Regenerative braking is also ingenious—when you hit the brakes, the wheel rotation turns into electricity, stored back in the battery, unlike traditional cars that waste energy as heat. This mechanism keeps the engine always running in its optimal state, drastically reducing fuel consumption, especially noticeable in city driving. In traffic jams, the engine shuts off, relying solely on the battery, making the overall efficiency astonishingly high. Toyota's hybrid system has been refined over the years, proving stable and reliable, offering peace of mind while driving.
