Hybrid cars are cars using two sources of activator. Generally at this time, hybrid cars using this engine and electric motor to rotate the wheel. Especially for the motor fuel, which it is widely used today are petrol engine.
Since it uses two sources of driving, there are three ways of applying it to rotate the wheel. All three are serial, parallel, and series-parallel combination. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
It's not only the advantages (simplicity) or deficiency (complexity) of each system technology making the performance of different systems. Traffic conditions are also influential. For example, in cities and on highways that are completely free jam!
Series
This is the simplest hybrid configuration. In a series hybrid, it's only the electric motor in charge of moving the wheel. The electric motor receives electric power from batteries or from generators driven by gasoline engines.
Computer determines how much power from the battery or generator / engine. It's Generator and regenerative braking to charge the battery. Machines are usually small capacity and those are connected in series since those are only applied to meet the manpower needs of the average.
Batteries are usually more powerful than the parallel hybrid. This is done to obtain a large power requirements. For this, the battery and motor sizeis larger. In addition, must use a generator also served as the starter motor when the engine started first time. Motor starter or generartor used as regenerative braking energy when it is in use.
As a result, the cost of the series hybrid is more expensive than a parallel hybrid. Currently using these configurations is the Chevy Volt.
If the gasoline engine when the car is used lavishly in the city or traffic jams (stop & go), the series hybrid would give the best results. The reason, the gasoline engine only works on a very narrow range or it achieves to optimum efficiency.
In addition, this system also does not require a series of clutch and transmission for the car working in various working conditions. New gasoline engine works when the energy on the batteries run out. The car is only driven by electric motors.
Parallel
Gasoline engine and electric motor drives the wheels directly. Additional computers and transmission control allows the components to work together. This concept is applied Honda Insight, Civic, and Accord, and then calls it Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). Other brands that choose this way is the Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
Parallel hybrids can use a smaller battery. The main objective of this concept is to harness the regenerative energy.
However, when power requirements are not too large, parallel hybrids use the gasoline engine turning a generator power to charge batteries or it's used as an extra charger. Its function is similar to alternator on a conventional car.
Because the gasoline engine is directly connected to the wheels, waste due to change mechanical energy into electricity or vice versa can be eliminated. These conditions make efficient parallel hybrid taken or used on the highway.
Conversely, when it's used in city traffic jam, this car would be more wasteful. Because, on the condition of stop & go, the engine must be capable of generating power at higher engine speed range wide. This is tantamount to a car relying on petrol engines.
Series-parallel
Both systems are combined at once. Gasoline engine and electric motor rotates the wheel (similar to parallel). Nevertheless, the machine can be turned off and the car is only driven by electric motors (electric cars).
The concept was adopted by the Prius. This is what makes the most efficient hybrid cars in the world today (also determined by other parts, such as duty cycle gasoline engine and body design). Another brand which it also follows the Prius are the Ford Escape Hybrid.
By using two drivers, the machine more often worked close to the point of optimum efficiency. At low speeds, the engine works like a series hybrid. Conversely, at high speeds, the engine work in parallel.
Series-parallel hybrid require larger batteries. In addition, mechanisms and control systems become complicated because the computer must be able to select the drive that is activated in accordance with state-run car. Does one only or both at once? Toyota calls it "Hybrid Synergy Drive."
