What Should be Done With the IMA System? - GreenHybrid

Delta Flyer · #1 (**permalink**) 12-24-2005, 07:02 PM

What Should be Done With the IMA System?

Note: multiple-choice

tbaleno · #2 (**permalink**) 12-24-2005, 07:16 PM

Get a larger motor for more torque allowing you to get up to 20mph or so quickly with very little reving of the ICE

Delta Flyer · #3 (**permalink**) 12-24-2005, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbaleno

Get a larger motor for more torque allowing you to get up to 20mph or so quickly with very little reving of the ICE

I would have missed that one as a poll question even if the limit was more than ten choices....good idea.

Double-Trinity · #4 (**permalink**) 12-24-2005, 09:16 PM

I believe the main thing that should be done is purely a software change. It could be done today for next to nothing. Allow the user to choose between multiple "profiles" depending on different driving conditions that would change IMA behavior, such as more gradual IMA use for mountain climbing, more aggressive use for short but steep grades, etc. Basically, allow more user input as an option. However, this thread seems to be leaning toward hardware changes, in which case I'd like to build on tbaleno's suggestion:

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbaleno

Get a larger motor for more torque allowing you to get up to 20mph or so quickly with very little reving of the ICE

Agreed. Next, I would suppelement the normal battery with ultracapacitors that would be able to deliver a higher flow of current than the batteries alone, to power the motor for bursts of acceleration. Also, for very short-term use of IMA, like stop-and-go traffic, the batteries woudln't need to be cycled at all-- the assist and regen could simply drain and recharge the ultracapactiors, which don't have issues with degradation from charge cycles. The battery (which has a better energy-capacity/weight ratio from what I understand, but a slower charge/discharge rate) could be kept in reserve for things like gradual hill climbs.

Delta Flyer · #5 (**permalink**) 12-25-2005, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double-Trinity

I believe the main thing that should be done is purely a software change. It could be done today for next to nothing. Allow the user to choose between multiple "profiles" depending on different driving conditions that would change IMA behavior, such as more gradual IMA use for mountain climbing, more aggressive use for short but steep grades, etc. Basically, allow more user input as an option. However, this thread seems to be leaning toward hardware changes, in which case I'd like to build on tbaleno's suggestion:

Agreed. Next, I would suppelement the normal battery with ultracapacitors that would be able to deliver a higher flow of current than the batteries alone, to power the motor for bursts of acceleration. Also, for very short-term use of IMA, like stop-and-go traffic, the batteries woudln't need to be cycled at all-- the assist and regen could simply drain and recharge the ultracapactiors, which don't have issues with degradation from charge cycles. The battery (which has a better energy-capacity/weight ratio from what I understand, but a slower charge/discharge rate) could be kept in reserve for things like gradual hill climbs.

I forgot about the MIMA system - that would be a big improvement. The caveat is "experts only". Unless/until a driver understants the limits of what his/her hybrid can do, this could degrade rather than improve performance/economy. It's a double-edged sword. Also consider it might shorted the battery pack life.

I voted for a limited EV mode due to my concerns that getting it up to what a Prius can do will increase the weight considerably.

azwildbill2 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-26-2005, 07:39 PM

I would like to see a more robust EV Mode - I would like to be able to cruise in the parking lot or stop and go traffic in electric mode. I DO NOT want the system to be like the Prius where the car backs up only in EV mode or not run without the Electric Motor. One of the Civic's selling points (to me) was the fact it could run only on the Gas Engine if needed and could backup using the Gas Engine.

AZMerf · #7 (**permalink**) 12-26-2005, 08:38 PM

I think they should do nothing and focus all their efforts on the replacement so they can best Toyota and put the Detroit three out of business finally!

gonavy · #8 (**permalink**) 12-27-2005, 04:15 AM

Having a plugin option would sort of imply a larger battery pack and an/or EV mode, wouldn't it?

The HAH rarely sees IMA come on... I'd love to be able to drain down that battery in the parking lot, though.

Honda already eats everyone's lunch with ICE efficiency, and has no fears from anyone on the highway FE numbers... however they simply MUST develop a low-speed system to match HSD's EV mode. Parking lot creeps, school dropoff queues, yadda yadda.