Since Toyota developed the first hybrid model, Toyota's THS hybrid technology has become the focus of the global automotive industry. Today, Toyota has sold 18 million models equipped with the THS hybrid system, occupying the C position in the global hybrid car field. Someone once said: "There are only two kinds of hybrids in the world, one is the Toyota THS hybrid, and the other is the other hybrids."
So, why did toyota's THS hybrid system achieve such remarkable results? Today, we will deconstruct Toyota's THS hybrid technology through FAW Toyota's Toyota twin engine models to see what charm it has and what forward-looking technologies it has.
Low fuel consumption and high efficiency, parallel hybrid is far better than tandem hybrid
Before talking about technology, let's take a look at the performance of Toyota's products.
Even if the crown land amplifier weighs up to two tons of luxury SUVs, its 100-kilometer comprehensive fuel consumption can be maintained at a low level of about 6L during use; in contrast, the fuel consumption of pure fuel models on the market with 2.0T engines of the same level may be 10L upwards, and the light hybrid models will reach about 8L, and even if it is equipped with PHEV, its fuel consumption is no different from that of fuel vehicles in the feed state.
Looking back at the Toyota THS hybrid system, its efficiency advantage is that it can maintain a stable low fuel consumption performance in most working conditions.
As the largest and heaviest model of FAW Toyota, the Crown Lufang this large seven-seat SUV, due to the THS hybrid system, in the author's actual experience, its 100-kilometer comprehensive fuel consumption is only between 6-7L, which is very fuel-efficient.
Moreover, the convenience of THS hybrid models is also unmatched by many plug-in hybrid models. In order to achieve lower fuel consumption, plug-in hybrid models need to keep the battery power abundant at all times. The Toyota THS hybrid model does not require additional plug-in and can obtain very low fuel consumption.
In fact, the reason why there is a gap between the two is that the Toyota THS hybrid system has achieved the coordination and unification of oil and electricity power.
First of all, let's talk about ordinary PHEV models, most of the plug-in hybrids are only between the engine and the gearbox, adding a motor to provide power for the engine, full power consumption is good, but when the battery is lost, the fuel consumption is generally high.
Take the DEMS X seven-seat SUV equipped with DM-p hybrid system as an example, this car in the case of abundant battery power, the motor provides power for the engine, its 100 km comprehensive fuel consumption can be controlled at about 7L; and when the battery is insufficient, due to the low charging efficiency, the engine not only needs to drive the wheels, but also needs to charge the battery, the load is higher, and its 100 km comprehensive fuel consumption can even rise to about 9-10L.
The THS hybrid system is through the planetary gear set, the engine and the electric motor are connected in parallel, which is essentially different from the series hybrid.
When the vehicle starts, it is driven by the motor, which avoids the high load range of the engine and reduces the fuel consumption at the start; when cruising, the engine begins to work, and keeps running in the economic range to obtain low fuel consumption performance; and when the vehicle accelerates or goes uphill, the motor and the engine work together to produce power, which brings strong power at the same time, through the tacit cooperation of the two, but also reduces fuel consumption.
It is worth saying that the THS hybrid system does not waste any power when the vehicle is cruising or taxiing. At this time, the battery can be charged and replenished; and because the nickel-metal hydride battery pack of the THS hybrid system has a small capacity, it can also obtain rapid energy replenishment, so that the motor is always ready for "battle" and contributes to improving efficiency.
To meet a variety of drive forms, THS hybrid is at the forefront
Due to the current restrictions of domestic policies and regulations, although the overall fuel consumption of Toyota Dual Engine models is much lower than that of PHEV models, it is impossible to obtain a new energy license due to the relatively small battery pack and the shorter pure electric mileage. However, such a problem is not a problem, because the THS hybrid system has a strong compatibility.
Taking the RAV4 Rongfang model as an example, in addition to providing a dual engine power system, it is also possible to provide a model equipped with a dual engine E+ hybrid system on this basis to meet the needs of the green card.
On the dual-engine E+ model, the high-efficiency THS hybrid system is still used. But in contrast, it increases the battery capacity. Taking our test drive experience of RAV4 Rongfang Dual Engine E+ as an example, the car's power battery pack capacity has reached 18.1kWh, which can provide 87 kilometers of NEDC pure electric cruising range.
The expansion of the battery pack also brings the use performance of both dual engine and PHEV to the Toyota dual engine E+ model.
Or take the RAV4 Rongfang dual engine E+ as an example: in long-distance travel, through the automatic mode + standard mode, its comprehensive fuel consumption of 100 kilometers can be controlled at about 5L, bringing more than 1000Km mileage and more economical fuel consumption performance; and in urban commuting, 87 kilometers of pure electric cruising range can also meet most of the use scenarios.
In addition to the dual-engine E+, FAW Toyota's dual-engine SUV is also equipped with the E-Four four-wheel drive system. Unlike the traditional mechanical four-wheel drive, the E-Four four-wheel drive system is a true "electronic four-wheel drive" system. At the rear axle of the vehicle, a drive motor is provided.
This layout not only avoids the drive shaft from invading the interior space. At the same time, the transmission of electrical signals is also faster, and when the vehicle is skidding, the four-wheel drive system can quickly intervene to improve the stability and ability of the vehicle to get out of trouble.
Completely without setbacks, only Toyota THS can do it
I believe that many friends who have test-driven the Toyota Asian Dragon dual engine model will be extremely impressed by the comfort quality of this luxury B+ class. Whether it is a gentle acceleration or a sharp acceleration, the car will not produce any bumps and breaks in the process of operation.
In contrast, the Honda Accord, which is also equipped with a hybrid system, will have a more obvious setback in the process of oil and electricity switching. Behind this, a big reason lies in the difference between the two hybrid systems.
Taking the Accord's i-MMD hybrid system as an example, this can be regarded as an enhanced range extender hybrid: during operation, most of the time the engine generates electricity to provide power to the motor; while cruising, the engine can also be directly connected to achieve fuel drive.
In the process of oil-electricity switching, the engine needs to be powered by the clutch. In the process of conversion, there will be certain setbacks and tremors, affecting the driving quality of the vehicle.
The THS hybrid system equipped with the Asian Dragon does not have a clutch or torque converter in the traditional sense.
Both the engine output shaft and the motor output shaft are fixed to the planetary gear set. Through the oil-electric switch, the torque function is realized. During operation, neither the engine output shaft nor the motor output shaft can be decoupled from the planetary gear set, and even if the oil and electricity are switched, there will be no setbacks, resulting in excellent smooth performance.
More powerful reliability and safety, Toyota THS can take into account
In the era when hybrid vehicles were popular, because the battery capacity was larger than that of traditional models, the stability and safety of the vehicle were also valued by consumers. Talking about the development history of Toyota THS hybrid, starting from the "Prius Prius" launched in 1997, it has undergone four technological replacements in the past 24 years, and has sold 18 million vehicles worldwide, of which 1.2 million users have been in China alone, but there has not been a single case of electric shock, battery burning or explosion caused by a vehicle accident.
In addition, its reliability performance is also extraordinary.
Taking the Corolla Double Engine of "Online Ride-hailing God Car" as an example, its reliability and value preservation have been trusted by many consumers. Million kilometers without major repairs and a three-year retention rate of more than 50% abound. Its high reliability and high retention rate also make tens of millions of consumers trust FAW Toyota's THS hybrid system.
First, because the THS hybrid model does not have a clutch, its torque system can not be decoupled, so there is no internal wear, can also achieve lifelong maintenance-free, its transmission system reliability is much higher than ordinary models.
Second, due to the use of nickel-metal hydride batteries, the safety and stability of THS hybrid models are higher than those of large-capacity batteries commonly used; and Toyota has optimized the battery management system for THS hybrid models, due to the low battery capacity (load ratio), coupled with the control of charge and discharge, to ensure the stability and safety of the battery.
In addition, in terms of body safety, the TNGA architecture has made comprehensive progress in body safety, not only optimizing the position of the battery pack for dual-engine models, but also reinforcing the surrounding materials to ensure safety.
Conclusion:
As the world's highest-selling hybrid model, the Toyota THS system is mature and reliable. At the same time, in the development iteration of multiple generations, it has also been optimized in an all-round way. Judging from the products equipped with the THS hybrid system today, Toyota has achieved a comprehensive balance of high efficiency, high practicality, and high reliability.