Re: Potential IMA implementations
(Score: 1, Normal)
09-05-2010 12:38
fladdams2k wrote: Current HCH I owner here..not overly impressed with IMA.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say Honda should actually only offer two IMA vehicles; Civic Hybrid and possibly a CR-V Hybrid with a Civic getting over 50 mpg and a CR-V getting low 30's. They need to offer something in the mini ute segment and since its built on the Civic platform, the CR-V should be an easy adaptation. They also need to re-vamp the IMA system and figure out a way to squeeze out more MPG. Maybe larger electric motors and affording it the ability to travel small distances on battery alone ala the Prius. Sorry but Li-Ion isn't going to provide a significant boost to MPG in the Civic Hybrid. It will likely amount to nothing more than a higher price, slight reduction in weight and a marginal increase in MPG. The REAL increase in MPG is yet to be determined...
Finally, with Honda offering everything except toilets as a Hybrid lately they really need to start thinking about how to improve the warranties on the battery and IMA systems. Warranties should be 10 years, unlimited mileage and transferrable on the batteries and IMA - PERIOD. If they're intent on flooding the market with electric/battery-dependent autos, the least they could do is stand behind the products responsibly and consistently. There's too much variance out there on how they're addressing battery failures.
I dunno.... IMA doesn't react quickly so the car does feel lethargic. I think that moving the electric motor off the main crankshaft and connecting it via it's own CVT would make sense because it would allow the electric motor to run at its most efficient (ie: torque). So, I think the powertrain should be:
1) computer controlled AT5 in line with crankshaft
2) CVT connecting the AT5 to the electric motor/generator.
3) The CVT should be connected after the torque converter in the transmission. (or at least a clutch should be inserted between the engine and the torque converter).
This CVT would not have to be as large because it would be designed to only carry the torque/power of the electric motor.
I would too like to see a larger electric motor... something in the order of 30bhp with 50ft/lbs. With it's CVT this would give a LOT of ooomph to the engine which could be kept to 1.3L.
Connecting the CVT after the torque converter will allow all electric running.
The problem I see is that when the engine is shut down and disconnected from the transmission (electric running) it won't have a flywheel....
Battery wise. I think the warranty in California is pretty long already and AHM has released new firmware for IMA to address battery discharging and longevity.
![[home]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/home.gif){kind=small}
![[rumors and news]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/rumors.gif){kind=small}
![[model release matrix]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/newmodelreleasematrix.gif){kind=small}
![[dealer network]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/dealernet.gif){kind=small}
![[desktop calendar]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/calendar.gif){kind=small}
![[exhaust notes]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/exhaust.gif){kind=small}
![[tov forums]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/forums.gif){kind=small}
![[links]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/links.gif){kind=small}
![[search]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/search.gif){kind=small}
![[sponsors]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/sponsors.gif){kind=small}
![[garage]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/garage.gif){kind=small}
![[login]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/login.gif){kind=small}
