cwerdna
Well-known member
Yes on the first part re: two electric motors, but conventional ICEVs don't have those two electric motors integrated into their transaxle and they don't participate in propelling the vehicle. MG1 performs does more than just start the ICE.theaveng said:The alternator & starter are essentially electric motors. The Prius replaced them with.... electric motors (two). So no simplication there. ----- The transaxle is a planetary gear set just like you find in any automatic car. So no simplication there either. ----- Then they added a battery plus DC/DC charger, which is located in the backseat. A standard gasoline car has no electronics located in its backseat. So overall: Yes the Prius is slightly more complicated with extra equipment.cwerdna said:Priuses and Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive hybrids and others w/similar design (e.g. Ford hybrids) have no alternator, no starter and the motors/generators are integrated into the transaxle (power split device).
The power split device does contain a planetary gearset but it contains no shift solenoids, bands, internal clutches, tiny fluid passages that automatics have nor a torque converter.
The DC to DC converter inside the inverter assembly, under the hood (not in the back) has no moving parts and performs the function an alternator would but the ICE doesn't need to be running for it to work.
2010+ Priuses and Toyota hybrids w/new designs introduced January 09 and later also have no belt driven accessories and no drive belt. But yes, I agree that the Prius and HSD hybrids are overall somewhat more complex. http://autoshop101.com/autoshop15.html#Hybrid" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; has some more info but all of it was written prior to the Gen 3 Prius (introduced in January 09 as a 2010 model year car).