"clumsy *******" wrote in message
...
"Doctor Drivel" wrote:

The Prius is simple - it has fewer components. It doesn't
even have an in-line gearbox.

it has a gearbox, it has regenerative braking, it has two engines, how
is this so simple?

No in-line gearbox. One engine and one motor. A normal engine has a motor
attached to it. The new BMWs use it to stop and star the engine at the
lights - like Pirus. For your understanding:

Split a powertrain into three modules:

1 petrol motor,
2 gearbox (CVT or otherwise),
3 diff/wheels It is in sequence,

1, 2, 3. Simple.

The petrol motor need module 2 because of its poor torque delivery
characteristics.

An electric motor has modules 1 and 3, eliminating 2, as it can deliver 100%
torque to module 3 on start up. Super simple. THE BEST is an electric
motor.

A Prius has modules 1 and 3, like an electric motor. In module 1 it has an
electric and petrol motor. In module 1 it has a mechanism to automatically
combine the power/torque of an electric and petrol motor to give the torque
delivery characteristics of an electric motor (called a power splitter).

Some experimental petrol engines can have modules 1 and 3 only, eliminating
2. This is by automatically varying the valve timing by using solenoid
controlled valves. This will deliver the torque to module 3 similar to an
electric motor. As with a Prius an auto mechanism is there to present to
module 3 torque characteristics like an electric motor.

So, no in-line gearbox, gear cogs, or CVT or otherwise in a Prius.

The point behind a Pirus is to:

- Have no to very low emissions, especially in urban conditions
- reduce fuel consumption, and hence emissions

Ferdinand Porsche raced (and won) a sort of hybrid in the early 1900s. They
were petrol motors - generators - electric motor - diff/wheels. In
effect an electric CVT "gearbox", all in-line, where the generator and
electric motor replaced a mechanical gearbox/CVT. The generator/electric
motor does the same job as a mechanical gearbox/CVT. A Prius does not use
this setup at all, it has the two motors in parrallel.

The Prius doesn't have an "in-line" transmission (gearbox/CVT). The "clever
part" is that is combines the outputs of the electric and petrol motors to
give the characteristics of one electric motor, presenting the
characteristics of an electric motor to the diff/wheels. Module 3 thinks
that its input is an electric motor.