THIS is the Hybrid Direction 6-7th Gen 4Runners Might Have

[eddiebx]

:hiding:

Greg, what are your thoughts on the actual viability of this technology for 4WD/AWD vehicles? I know the link you posted is very brief on this topic all together, but I don't know why I feel like it suggests that Volvo would be adding this technology to the otherwise free spinning rear wheels of a FWD car?

Not really understanding all the technical mumbo jumbo, it would seemingly be much easier to integrate something like this to the non-driving wheels of a RWD/FWD car versus AWD/4WD, to a layperson like me anyway.

I'm also curious if Volvo has secured any patents on this technology and if they have, are they still even in force? From what the article says and from what you guys are all saying, it seems like old stuff so that might not be an issue.

 

[Quentin]

Toyota already has electrically only driven wheels on the Highlander Hybrid. The 2GR-FXE (3.5L V6, atkinson cycle engine) drives the vehicle up front with the electric motors via the eCVT. Battery power goes to another electric motor that is connected to the rear differential. This isn't an off-road 4WD system. Best used in ice, snow, etc. IIRC, the Lexus LS600h is AWD. It basically uses a transfer case like our 4WD systems, I believe. Basically the eCVT/electric motors output to the transfer case where a differential splits the power front and rear.

 

[eddiebx]

Toyota already has electrically only driven wheels on the Highlander Hybrid. The 2GR-FXE (3.5L V6, atkinson cycle engine) drives the vehicle up front with the electric motors via the eCVT. Battery power goes to another electric motor that is connected to the rear differential. This isn't an off-road 4WD system. Best used in ice, snow, etc. IIRC, the Lexus LS600h is AWD. It basically uses a transfer case like our 4WD systems, I believe. Basically the eCVT/electric motors output to the transfer case where a differential splits the power front and rear.

Great point! I didn't even think to look into how Toyota does it now on their current hybrid AWD models :frusty:

 

[sven]

Here's a video illustration on the Volvo Flywheel KERS:

Volvo Flywheel KERS - YouTube

 

[Roadkill]

You have to remember that the KERS on F1 cars is deriving it's energy from a 1,200 lb car slowing down from 180 mph. Think about the energy required to slow down a 4,600 lb car from 60 mph. Which develops more potential energy?

That's a great illustration of how a squared factor quickly overtakes a linear factor upon scaling. I'm going with the 1,200 lb F1 vehicle @ 180 mph having ~2.3x the kinetic energy of the 4,600 lb vehicle @ 60 mph. I presume the potential energy developed is proportional*.

*ceteris paribus, ymmv, offer valid for incompressible spherical vehicles in a frictionless vacuum with frictionless flywheel bearings and zero transmission losses, etc...

Haha, but seriously, Google Calculator is awesome.