Hybrid electric vehicle propulsion system architectures of the e-CVT type

Abstract

There is now significant interest in hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) propulsion systems globally. Economics play a major role as evidenced by oil prices in North America pressing upwards of $100/Bbl coupled with a customer preference for full size crossover and sport utility vehicles. The situation in Oceania is milder, but emerging markets such as China are experiencing automotive sector growth rates of 37%/year. Europe remains least affected by hybrids since nearly 47% of all new vehicles sold are diesel fueled and have economy ratings on par with that of gasoline-electric hybrids. In the global economy there are presently some 57 Mil new vehicles manufactured each year. Toyota and Honda have projected that HEVs will be 10 % to 15 % of the U.S. market by 2009, with Toyota raising the bar further by stating they will produce 1 Mil hybrids a year in the 2012 time frame. Hybrid propulsion system types are only vaguely comprehended by the buying public, and to a large measure, even by technical professionals. This paper addresses this latter issue by presenting a summary of the globally accepted standard in hybrid power trains-the power split architecture, or more generically and in common usage, the electronic-continuously variable transmission