Abstract
Nowadays the task to diminish energy consumption and air pollution caused in large shares by road traffic occupies a key issue. One possible approach is the Autark Hybrid, a powertrain concept developed and investigated at Technische Universität München. A well balanced configuration of an usual internal combustion engine, an electric motor with a dedicated battery system in combination with a continuously variable transmission of wide ratio range should be suitable to meet both requirements. The Autark Hybrid belongs to the family of parallel hybrid drive lines. In comparison with conventional passenger cars range and cruising speed is unchanged.
Additionally there is the possibility of a purely electrical operating, i. e. for driving in zero emission areas like city centres.
A prototype research car "Autark Hybrid" has been assembled in order to verify the conception of the powertrain under real circumstances. Starting from its standard configuration the vehicle, an Opel Astra Caravan, has been modified in several points. For instance the standard generator ceased and the on-board electric power net had to be extended. Components of the Autark Hybrid have been fitted into the car: electric motor, converter and cooling system, traction battery, i²-transmission, affiliated hydraulic circuits, control system (main vehicle controller and sub-controllers of different components, dedicated sensors), drivers additional display and operation elements. Available space mainly in the engine compartment but also in the luggage boot and inside the car occurred as a central problem which showed effects on the Autark Hybrid components design and integration. Furthermore an extensive measurement equipment has been implemented, which allows systematic testing and optimising of the Autark Hybrid.
Due to the complexity of the whole drive line a stepped testing strategy has been realised. For a double-tracked testing and optimising strategy parallel to the vehicle a second drive train Autark Hybrid is implemented at a test rig with a certain head start. Since the powertrain´s beginning of operation-period various impressions of the systems behaviour have been gained.
The Autark Hybrid test vehicle has started operation successfully at the roller test bench. First impressions of functionality and operating are demonstrated on the basis of an performed acceleration scene.
As general requirement both creating a hybrid drive train system with extreme design aspects, as far as for example fuel consumption is concerned, and considering the design from different points of view (i. e. functionality, effectiveness, driveability or driving comfort) contributes to general progress of automotive engineering.