PHEVplus - Efficient Plug-in-hybrid System with MRF-coupling Technology

Due to the ever-increasing need to reduce CO2 emissions, the development of automotive technology today is significantly influenced by the electrification of the powertrain. In order for vehicles to be accepted as suitable for everyday use, they have to meet a usage profile that provides for a significant share of short-haul and occasionally long-haul routes. At the moment, plug-in hybrid technology (PHEV) performs this task best. Since electric motors and combustion engines each have their highest efficiency in different speed ranges, a multi-speed multi-mode operation is essential to achieve a high overall system efficiency and thus increase range.

In the joint project "PHEVplus", holistically optimized powertrain configurations for plug-in hybrid vehicles are being developed through further development of multi-speed multi-mode transmissions with innovative, superior coupling elements based on magnetorheological fluids (MRF) as well as ideally matched outputs of the electric motors and the internal combustion engine. Thus, compared to today's plug-in hybrid and range extender systems, further increases in terms of efficiency, compactness and therefore the range along with good driving performance necessary for user acceptance are aimed for. The progress achieved as part of the research project with the new multimode hybrid transmission based on MRF technology will be demonstrated experimentally in a demonstrator using a newly developed operating strategy.