Hi Paul, One thing I was thinking of was that you could leave the entire transaxle assembly alone (MG1, MG2 & differential) and attached an electric motor in place of the ICE engine. This would not obviously be the most optimum setup, but would get the job done. The electric motor could just be a DC motor rather than AC. You would then treat the motor like the ICE engine. Regen would be accomplished by MG2 as usual.
One interesting thing with this setup is that you could recharge the batter pack by powering the new electric motor which drives MG1 to recharge the battery. Also the new electric motor could be driven only in a forward direction. The controller would not have to be too complicated to mimic the original ICE behavior since the ICE engine ran at a very controlled RPM range. Again the biggest problem would be to find a place for the Li-Ion battery pack. I took a look at the Saft web site and a 28KWh pack would weigh only about 230kg (500lb). Based on the dimensions, a pack could be constructed that is about twice as tall as the current NimH pack and fit in roughly the same space (42"Lx18"Wx14"H). Alex Karahalios On Tuesday, September 24, 2002, at 07:49 PM, Paul G wrote: > I'm not going to convert a Prius. As I have mentioned its special > transaxle > would be a real PITA to deal with. But that transaxle excites me too. A > single planatary gear set with the engine hooked to the planet > carrier, MG1 > hooked to the sun gear, and MG2 and the output to the final drive hook > to > the annular gear (no clutches or brake bands) The only mechanical > thing the > shifter does is engauge and release the park cog. The throttle pedal > hooks > to a throttle pot, like an EV. But the Prius lacks any clear place to > put > an EV size pack, like most passenger cars.
